Green Living

Choosing the most energy-efficient television

I’m glad the government has pushed back the date for the digital TV switchover. June 12 buys me a little more time to get straight on the most energy-efficient choices for upgrading my 20-year-old TV. But I’m pretty discouraged. First off, I assumed that the slender, sleek new TVs would be more environmentally friendly than those bulky old boxes of the past. After all, dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets have all improved dramatically in the past 15 years.

Not the case with TVs. Both LCD and plasma models can burn a lot more electricity than the fat, squat CRT models because of the way they operate. But there are a couple more reasons why: We’re going bigger, with screen areas of 40, 60, 70 inches and more. And they suck up energy even while turned off. Any TV-or other electronic device that includes a clock and is manufactured to power up quickly when turned on-continues to consume electricity to keep its inner workings at the ready.

So the greenest choice? Looks like its keeping the old set and getting a conversion box. If I do end up replacing my TV, though, I’m committed to getting one with a 32-inch screen or less. And unplugging it when not in use. And not sending the old one to landfill.

Energy Star identifies TV models that are at least 30-percent more efficient in standby and active mode. I’ll definitely check out the Web site for that list. (www.energystar.gov)

consumerism, energy, waste

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