Audio visual (AV) technology has become an industry standard for workplaces, campuses, entertainment venues, and other public spaces. As AV systems continue to scale across industries, their energy footprint is quietly expanding. Always-on displays, networked audio systems, and complex control infrastructures can draw significant power—even when not in active use. Without thoughtful design and active management, these systems contribute to rising operational costs and unnecessary environmental impact.
Improving energy efficiency in AV isn’t just a sustainability checkbox, it’s a strategic opportunity. By combining smart system architecture, automation, and data-driven management, organizations can reduce energy use while simultaneously enhancing long-term performance and reliability.
In this article, we’ll explore where audio visual energy consumption typically occurs, which strategies can reduce it, and how modern technologies and services can help create a more efficient, future-ready AV environment.
The Energy Footprint of AV Systems
To reduce energy consumption in AV environments, it’s important to understand where the power is going. AV systems are made up of many interconnected components. So, what components consume the most energy?
- Displays: Large-format displays, including LED or LCD walls and high-lumen projectors, are often the most energy-intensive components in an AV setup. They require continuous power to maintain brightness and color consistency, especially in high-ambient light environments. Displays left running after hours, or those without automated shutdown schedules, can significantly increase a facility's energy load. Learn more about large-format displays.
- Audio amplification: Audio systems, particularly high-powered amplifiers in large venues or multi-room setups, consume substantial energy during use and even in idle mode.
- Control systems and processors: Media servers, digital signal processors (DSPs), control processors, and matrix switchers often run continuously - even when not actively routing content. These components stay powered for responsiveness and network accessibility, contributing to baseline energy use.
- AV and always-on systems: Devices like digital signage, streaming encoders, and AV-over-IP systems consume power continuously. Without automation or scheduled shutdowns, they can quietly become major sources of energy waste across large or multi-room deployments.
Designing for Energy Efficiency & Planning for Longevity
Energy management starts with design. A well-designed and properly implemented AV solution not only delivers optimal performance but also ensures that energy-saving strategies can be effectively executed. By prioritizing energy-conscious choices from the beginning, organizations set themselves up for long-term savings, reduced environmental impact, and greater system longevity.
Right-sizing systems
Oversized AV systems often come with higher power demands, unnecessary complexity, and wasted resources. Choosing the right-sized equipment (displays, amplifiers, processors) for the space and use case not only reduces energy consumption but also cuts down on cost and heat output.
Using right-sized equipment ensures you’re not powering more hardware than the environment requires, laying the groundwork for a leaner, more sustainable AV footprint from the start.
System integration best practices
Effective system integration is key to managing energy use in AV setups. Centralized control platforms enable streamlined power management by coordinating devices to turn on and off as needed. Integrating lighting, HVAC, and occupancy sensors with AV systems allows for smarter automation, like dimming displays or powering down equipment when rooms are unoccupied.
At Tempest, we extend these capabilities through our network of trusted low-voltage service providers, ensuring consistent integration quality and energy-efficient performance across even the most distributed sites. Low-voltage systems support efficient control, automation, and communication infrastructures—all essential to reducing energy waste in modern AV deployments.
Lifecycle thinking
Sustainable AV design requires a long-term view. It's critical to consider how systems will perform, adapt, and remain efficient throughout their lifecycle. This means choosing durable, upgradable components, planning for software and firmware updates, and anticipating how the space and its needs might evolve. By thinking beyond short-term performance and toward long-term operational impact, organizations can reduce waste, extend system life, and lower total energy consumption over time.
By adopting a lifecycle perspective, organizations not only prioritize durable and adaptable systems but also create a foundation for leveraging smart technologies and ongoing managed services—tools that continuously optimize energy use and extend system longevity.
Smart Technologies that Enable Energy Management
Integrating smart technologies into AV systems is a simple way to conserve energy, particularly when systems aren't in use. Smart technologies are systems equipped with sensors, automation and connectivity that enable them to respond to real-time conditions.
Below are effective smart features and technologies that help organizations reduce AV-related energy waste.
Automation and scheduling
Scheduled power-on and auto-shutdown routines help ensure that devices aren’t running when not in use. This could be displays powering down after office hours or audio systems entering low-power standby between events. These settings can also be customizable, making it easy to match power use with actual usage patterns.
Sensor-based systems
Integrating environmental sensors into AV setups enables systems to respond dynamically to real-world conditions. For example, occupancy sensors can detect when a room is empty and trigger a shutdown of projectors, displays, or audio systems. Light sensors can adjust screen brightness or room lighting in response to ambient light levels, reducing power draw while maintaining visibility.
Cloud and remote monitoring
Cloud-based AV management platforms allow integrators and IT staff to monitor energy usage and device performance in real time from anywhere. These tools make it easy to identify systems that are consuming too much power, left on unintentionally, or in need of optimization. Remote shutdown capabilities also let teams turn off unused devices without having to be physically present.
AI and machine learning
AI and machine learning technologies are being built into AV systems to improve efficiency. These tools can analyze usage over time to predict when systems will be needed. For example, predictive maintenance helps anticipate component failures before they happen, reducing unnecessary energy consumption from faulty or overworked devices.
By utilizing these features, systems can align energy use with actual demand, minimizing waste and reducing the carbon footprint of AV systems.
Challenges in Efficient AV Energy Management
Even with smart technologies, organizations often face challenges that can create gaps in efficiency and make energy savings difficult to achieve. Understanding these common roadblocks is essential to developing strategies that ensure sustained, impactful energy management.
- Lack of visibility: Many teams don't know what is drawing power or when.
- Misconfigured control systems: Automation may be integrated into AV systems, but is often underused or disabled.
- "Always-on" habits: End users leave systems on out of convenience.
- Distributed locations: Multi-site organizations struggle with consistency across locations.
- Legacy gear: Older equipment often draws more power and lacks efficient settings.
Addressing these challenges requires ongoing attention. Managed services provide the maintenance and user support necessary to sustain energy efficiency over time.
Managed Services: Maintenance, Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
Energy efficiency in AV systems continues through vigilant maintenance and active monitoring. Ongoing maintenance and active monitoring offer a practical solution to keep systems running at peak performance. By building in routine commissioning, you can ensure your AV setup stays aligned with its original energy-saving goals, avoiding the gradual drift that can lead to wasted power and higher costs.
At Tempest, we provide peace of mind through our AV support & managed services. We continuously monitor AV systems to ensure they run at peak performance, while simultaneously reducing energy waste. Learn more about our managed services.
Remote diagnostics & monitoring tools
We provide real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics. These tools allow us to detect potential issues before they arise—minimizing downtime and preventing energy waste caused by malfunctioning or overworked equipment. This preventative maintenance approach not only extends the lifespan of your AV assets but also supports consistent, optimized energy use over time.
End-user education
Following the implementation of each AV solution, we provide comprehensive training to ensure users can effectively manage their systems. Don’t worry—we still ensure your system functions at optimal efficiency. Our training and continuous education provide users with the confidence to operate systems responsibly, make the most of energy-saving features, and avoid unnecessary power consumption. From understanding automated shutdown schedules to knowing when to use different system modes, we empower your team to be active participants in maintaining long-term energy efficiency.
National coverage for remote locations
Whether you operate from a single site or manage dozens of locations across the country, we provide dependable support—no matter where you are. Our nationwide coverage ensures that even your most remote sites receive the same expert service, proactive maintenance, and energy-efficient system care as your main facilities. With centralized monitoring and remote diagnostics, we deliver consistent, scalable AV support to all your locations, helping you stay connected, efficient, and fully supported.
The Role of Collaboration
Paving the way for a more sustainable future in AV isn’t something any one company can do alone. It requires industry-wide collaboration, shared goals, and a commitment to common standards. At Tempest, we recognize this reality and actively seek out partnerships that help drive meaningful change across the audio visual landscape.
That’s why we’re proud to work with organizations like SAVe (Sustainability in AV), which brings together manufacturers, integrators, and service providers to create practical, measurable strategies for reducing environmental impact. Through this partnership, we align our efforts with a broader mission, advocating for energy-efficient technologies, responsible system design, and sustainable business practices.
By supporting and adhering to evolving sustainability standards, we not only improve our own service offerings but also contribute to a larger ecosystem of change. Collaboration fuels progress.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Sustainable AV Systems
Building a more energy-efficient AV future depends on both innovation and collaboration. By embracing partnerships and evolving standards, organizations can better align their practices with broader sustainability goals. Smart technologies like automation, sensors, cloud management, and AI offer clear pathways to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Still, overcoming challenges like outdated hardware, user habits, and lack of visibility is critical.
As the industry moves forward, those who embrace both internal efficiency and external collaboration will be best positioned to lead. By investing in energy management today, we lay the foundation for AV systems that are smarter, greener, and built to last.