ENERGY STAR^® Televisions

Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for a new television!

Televisions are getting larger. In fact, some of the largest, high resolution direct view TVs can use as much electricity each year as a new conventional refrigerator; approximately 500 kWh each year.

Did You Know...

Under the current ENERGY STAR guidelines, ENERGY STAR qualified TVs can use only up to one watt in standby mode; on-mode power requirements vary according to screen area and the TV’s definition (high, full-high, or non-high).

• For example, the current average energy consumption for a 42 inch ENERGY STAR qualified LCD TV is 179 kWh per year, and a 42 inch ENERGY STAR qualified plasma TV averages 188 kWh per year. A 60 inch ENERGY STAR qualified LCD TV averages 257 kWh per year while a 58 inch ENERGY STAR qualified plasma TV averages 318 kWh per year.

In addition to energy performance, there are many other important operating and convenience features to consider when shopping for televisions.

• Screen Displays
  ENERGY STAR qualified TV displays use different picture-generating technologies than the standard CRT TV, making them lightweight and super-thin in comparison. However, the term “flat screen” can be confusing because newer CRT models are also available in flat screen.
• Flat Screen Display strictly refers to the flat surface of the TV screen. It does not necessarily refer to plasma TVs or thin, flat-paneled LCDs. Flat-screen standard CRT sets are available and are usually less expensive than other flat-screens such as plasma and LCDs, but tend to be more expensive than conventional CRT models. Flat-screen CRT TVs have reduced glare, but not necessarily the enhanced picture of a plasma or LCD display. There are currently no ENERGY STAR qualified CRT TVs.
• Plasma TVs have emissive displays; the panel is self-lighting. The plasma, which is a gas, causes the pixels to glow and this creates the TV image.
• LCD TVs have transmissive displays; a light source (bulb) behind the panel shines light through the display to create the TV image.

LIPA is partnering with participating retail stores to promote select ENERGY STAR qualified televisions!