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 1990s, 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 consume a lot of energy relative to today's flat-screen LCD and plasma options.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently 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. A comprehensive list can be found on the ENERGY STAR site.

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 myGreenElectronics.org and enter your zip code to find nearby companies that can help you responsibly recycle your outdated electronics.

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Retrevo can help you be more green with gadgets like these green TVs, green laptops, and green desktops.