Are you in the market for a new television set? Are you considering a plasma, LCD or flat-screen model? Have you considered it's energy efficiency? While most people shop for televisions with specific features already in mind, they rarely consider energy efficiency. Why is energy efficiency important in televisions? According to Energy Star, "today's TVs, when combined with related products like DVD players and set-top boxes, make up about 10% of a household's annual electricity bill."
Powering Your TV and it's Effect on the Environment
\"Energy Efficiency\"
Watching television may seem harmless enough, but it's important to realize the environmental impact of the electricity you use. Generating electricity is a dirty business - especially in the United States. In 2006, nearly half (49%) of the country's 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity generated used coal as its source of energy. Why do we still rely so heavily on coal in today's more environmentally conscious world? You can find the answer in a recent MIT report titled The Future of Coal where they state, "Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world," they continue with the following frightening statement, "its use is projected to increase."
Growing Power Needs
If 10% of your household's annual electricity bill doesn't seem outrageous to you then consider the following, according to Keith Jones of Digital CEnergy Australia, "by 2012, it will be safe to say that televisions will use more power than the average refrigerator in an average household."
Energy Efficiency - A Simple Solution
Thankfully, there is a simple solution - energy efficiency. The more energy efficient your new television is, the less electricity you use and the less pollution you contribute. With the help of Energy Star, finding an energy efficiency television has never been easier. Energy Star rated televisions use about 30% less energy in comparison to standard units. Energy Star also provides ratings on almost every type of television on the market - from standard TVs, to HD-ready TVs, to the largest flat-screen plasma TVs.
To maximize the energy efficiency of your new television, if possible, I recommend holding your purchase until after November 2008. According to Energy Star, "in November 2008, a new, much more stringent ENERGY STAR specification for TVs will be effective." This new standard will include efficiency improvements for both standby and active modes.
Finding Energy Star Rated Televisions
If you are ready to shop today then you can find Energy Star rated televisions using their free web-tool:
- http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=TV#FAPSearch
The following stores also carry Energy Star rated "Home Electronics" so you should be able to compare Energy Star models personally.
- Best Buy
- Costco
- Sam's Club
- Sears
- Wal-Mart
To find the closest store near you, Energy Star provides the following free web-tool:
It's important to always remember using energy efficient devices is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only does energy efficiency help save the environment for future generations, it also saves you money each money by lowering your monthly electricity bill. When you purchase your next television, make the environmentally smart choice and purchase one rated by Energy Star.
Energy Efficiency - Buying a New Plasma, LCD or Flat-Screen Television with Energy Star
Sam Greyhawk is an environmental evangelist who spreads the message of reduce, reduce and recycle. Learn about greenwashing [http://www.stopgreenwashing.org/] and how to avoid it by visiting Stop Greenwashing [http://www.stopgreenwashing.org/]. Track interesting environmental stories by topic at Nature Web [http://www.natureweb.us/].