If you watch TV, then you know that the country will switch to High-Definition TV sometime in February. Those with old-school cathode ray tubes may be tempted to use this milestone to "upgrade" to a flat-screen. If that describes you or someone you know, then this Greentip from the Union of Concerned Scientists may be helpful:
Energy consumption varies widely between HDTVs, even between models of similar size. There are ways to ensure your new TV is as efficient as possible:
- Choose the most efficient technology. There are three HDTV technologies on the market today: plasma, LCD, and rear-projection microdisplay (commonly known as DLP, or digital light processing). A study by technology reviewer CNET found that, on average, plasma TVs are the least efficient, consuming 0.33 watt of electricity per square inch of screen, while LCD TVs are slightly better at 0.28 watt per inch. Your best choice to save energy is DLP, which consumes only 0.13 watt per inch.
- Choose Energy Star-rated models. On November 1, 2008, the EPA released new Energy Star specifications that now set maximum energy consumption limits for TVs in both standby and active modes (previous specifications applied only to standby mode). TVs that meet these new requirements (see the Related Resources) will be up to 30 percent more efficient than non-qualified models.
Even if you're not in the market for a new TV, there are ways to reduce the energy being consumed by your current TV:
- Unplug the TV when it is not in use. TVs that have a standby mode continue to draw power even when turned "off."
- Turn off the "quick start" option (if applicable). Just by waiting a few more seconds for the TV to warm up, you can significantly reduce standby power consumption.
- Turn down the brightness settings. Many LCD TVs also have a backlight setting that is often set in stores to be brighter than necessary for most home environments.
- Buy an Energy Star-rated digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box if you own an analog TV and do not plan to upgrade to digital by February 2009. According to the EPA, if all analog TV owners used Energy Star converter boxes, global warming pollution would be lowered by an amount equivalent to taking a million cars off the road.
Also, recycle your old set. If you can't find a local place, I suggest mailing it to Bill O'Reilly with a few choice words about programming standards ...
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Comments
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Biodiversivist Posted 1:21 am
19 Nov 2008
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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Adam Browning Posted 2:42 am
19 Nov 2008
http://www.fox.com/community/askfox/mailing_addresses.htm ...
Get Some Sun: http://www.votesolar.org
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Biodiversivist Posted 3:28 am
19 Nov 2008
In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world
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jestbill Posted 3:54 am
19 Nov 2008
I don't use it by the square foot, I use it by the linear inch.
I have a similar quibble about this article: A DLP set uses less energy per square inch, but the smallest you can buy is around 50 inches diagonal.
Too many square inches.
I'm guessing that a 23" LCD probably uses the same energy--what am I missing? (besides a huge TV?)
Which part of "all" don't you understand?
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JMG Posted 3:56 am
19 Nov 2008
Since we don't have cable, we have a cheap, low-energy-use, DVD-playing appliance that will last, I imagine, for the rest of our lives. I hope more people will take this opportunity to go TV free. It would be wonderful if the corporations who used their campaign contributions to seduce Congress into this whole boondoggle ended up pushing themselves into irrelevancy that much faster as their audience simply walks away.
The 5% Project
Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.
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Bob Wallace Posted 4:48 am
19 Nov 2008
Square foot or linear inch - both work just fine for price comparison.
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GlobalWarmingInc Posted 5:30 am
19 Nov 2008
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jestbill Posted 9:02 am
19 Nov 2008
I was thinking in one direction but typing in another...substitute "paper towels" for "TP" and/or "number of sheets" for "linear inch" and see if it makes sense.
I think this article is no more nor less than an advertisement for TVs. Nobody is going to choose a DLP set for its energy efficiency.
Which part of "all" don't you understand?
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amazingdrx Posted 2:55 pm
19 Nov 2008
Then there's this, for the really optimally efficient low carbon footprint lifestyle, powered by a solar panel and a battery.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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Adam Browning Posted 12:14 am
20 Nov 2008
Get Some Sun: http://www.votesolar.org
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amazingdrx Posted 12:41 am
20 Nov 2008
The tuner plugs into your laptop then takes a signal from an antennae or your cable line. It has a remote control like a tv does.
Your laptop is already HD and energy saving. No big screen and the 30 dollar cable you need to hook it up (that they don't tell you about when you buy the tv, that is available for 3 bucks online).
The solar panels are available, and the battery is in the laptop already. Cool. Now tap into a neighbor's cable line...whoops, no don't, it's illegal.
But monopolizing internet and cable tv access and running a criminal conspiracy disguised as a cable company? Not illegal, go figure.
http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog John Schneider, Northern Wisconsin
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EJLightning Posted 12:59 am
20 Nov 2008
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Casey Harrell Posted 5:22 am
20 Nov 2008
Read more here: http://www.dtv.gov/
At most, there may need to buy a converter box, a much less environmentally (and financially) impacting decision. Let's try to not add to the growing mass of e-waste!
Also, while I personally like the idea of sending your old TVs to Papa Bear, these units, especially old CRTs which are loaded with lead and mercury, are full of toxic materials.
The manufacturers (Sony, Samsung, etc.) of these TVs should (and increasingly are) taking financial responsibility for their waste through free take-back programs for consumers.
The responsible thing to do if you want to get rid of an old unit:
- consult w/the take-back policies of the manufacturer. Take a look at Greenpeace's Electronics Ranking Guide for more detail:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/ ...
- if your producer doesn't offer free take back, you should send them a note demanding it! In the meantime, visit your local recycler. But first make sure they don't incinerate, dump (in a landfill) or export your waste overseas (to be open-burned in Asia, Africa or Latin America).
Responsible electronics recyclers can be found here:
http://www.computertakeback.com/the_solutions/recyclers_m ...
and here: http://www.e-stewards.org/index.html
- Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International
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naught101 Posted 4:08 pm
26 Nov 2008
check out http://www.envirowiki.info, the knowledge database for environmentalists and activists.
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Pangolin Posted 5:18 pm
26 Nov 2008
Put the Carbon Back
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