As televisions have gone digital, TV manufacturers have also responded to consumer desires for TV technologies that are far more energy efficient than old-style cathode ray tubes.  While popular in the 1990’s, the big-screen CRT picture tube was also an energy hog – sometimes consuming more than 250 watts of power.  Most projection TV sets from a few years ago utilize three individual small picture tubes that also consumer a lot of energy relative to today’s flat-screen LCD and Plasma options.

Today, most flat screen TVs sold use less energy than 2 standard light bulbs (roughly equal to 140 watts). There are also many technologies that help improve efficiency from LED backlights and ambient light sensors that adjust to lighting in the home to automatic menus that prompt users to set their TVs in "home" mode vs. "retail" mode. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has tightened standards for the ENERGY STAR program, which is a voluntary federal effort that shows which home appliances are the most efficient.  Those that meet the stringent standards get to use the familiar ENERGY STAR mark.  Choosing an ENERGY STAR-eligible TV can help you save money on your monthly electric bill, since these represent the most energy-efficient HDTV products on the market.

Hundreds of new flat-screen LCD and Plasma High-Definition Televisions now earn the ENERGY STAR label for energy efficiency.  Visit the ENERGY STAR webiste to fin a comprehensive list of these products.

Now that more than half of American households have purchased a high-definition TV, many consumers are returning to stores to buy a smaller widescreen HDTV set for the bedroom or kitchen. TV manufacturers are responding to that demand by offering a wide variety of affordable, smaller screens that will fit perfectly in the armoire in the bedroom or built-in cabinets in the den.

It’s possible that the new TV you’ll buy will displace an older set now at the end of its useful life. The Consumer Electronics Association maintains a comprehensive database of TV and electronics recycling options. Visit www.digitaltips.org/green and enter your address to find nearby companies that can help you responsibly recycle your outdated electronics.