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How Much Does Your ENERGY STAR Certified Smart TV Save?
April 22, 2021
You have recently purchased an ENERGY STAR certified smart TV. You enjoy many benefits of using ENERGY STAR products, such as keeping your carbon footprint low.
While your decision may depend on what’s trending right now, it is actually a cost-savings option.
To know how much money you save with your new energy-efficient TV, let us first look at some crucial information.
Evolution of Televisions
Currently, Americans spend around half a day consuming data on the media. Whether it is watching television or using TV-connected apps/smart devices, 88% of adults stay glued for more than five hours.
From the first theories about transmission of images across devices in the 1800s to today’s ENERGY STAR certified smart TVs, technology has come a long way.
The Beginnings
Mechanical image transmission happened in 1920, while the first electronic television appeared in 1927. The earlier TV models were huge, as big as a refrigerator.
In the 1940s, their bulk reduced, and color television sets came out in the next decade. After World War II ended, people received higher incomes, and there were about 12 million TV sets in use by 1951.
Remote controls, better sound quality, low TV power consumption, more advanced buttons, and design options were the focus until the 90s. Newer models got thinner and ditched the convex CRTs (cathode-ray tubes).
The 2000s
Flat-screen, energy-efficient TVs with an inch of thickness, increased width, and the absence of a bulky behind made pictures seem like they are in front of you.
Slowly, sharper technology achieved real, life-like images as the TV lost buttons, cords, ports, and knobs. They incorporated High-Definition, 4K or 8K resolution, and 3D options and came with inwardly curved screens.
Cable and video games from the 80s are accessible with a touch on the new generation smart TVs and streaming services.
Your ENERGY STAR Certified Smart TV Consumes Less Power
Your TV power consumption amounts to around 5% of the energy usage of the entire home. When you think of sustainable options, it is possible to lower your carbon emissions and save money on utility bills with a new TV.
Switching from an older CRT TV to any new version can definitely save you some money. But here’s how ENERGY STAR certified smart TVs compare with others:
Tube-Style TVs
TVs with CRTs are almost invisible in most appliance stores nowadays. Although CRT televisions contributed to 85% of sales in 2003, only 46% of U.S. homes had one by 2014. Since they are small in size, they consume less energy, about 80 watts per hour for a 19-inch TV.
LCD TVs
Liquid Crystal Display television sets have three polarized glass panels: red, blue, and green. When light spins through this color wheel, it creates a sharp and vivid image output. A 50-inch LCD television consumes about 150 watts of energy an hour.
LED TVs
They are a subsect of LCD TVs that use light-emitting diodes. Like LCDs, they are the screens you find in laptops, computers, etc. Average sizes range between 32 and 65 inches and can go over 80 inches. LED TVs are nearly 30% more energy efficient as a 50-inch unit uses only 100 watts. Most ENERGY STAR certified smart TVs use LED technology.
DLP TVs
Digital Light Processing TVs are contemporaries of LCD TVs. Also called rear-projection televisions, they are over 50 inches in screen size. An average-sized, 56-inch TV consumes 175 watts of power. So, compared to LCDs and LEDs, DLPs are more energy-efficient TVs.
Plasma TVs
Encased plasma (charged gas) illuminates image pixels between two sheets of glass. Plasmas offer wider viewing angles and enhance your TV watching experience, but they hog more energy. A 40-inch plasma TV can consume more than 500 watts, and many companies have stopped producing plasma TV models.
OLED TVs
In OLED TVs or Organic Light Emitting Diode, part of the screen is entirely dark as unnecessary pixels illuminate. Hence, they offer a superior picture quality. But a 55-inch OLED TV power consumption amounts to 98 watts, which is almost 40% more than LED TVs of the same size.
Smart TVs with ENERGY STAR Rating
Energy Star certification is awarded to TVs that pass stringent energy efficiency standards. Energy Star rated TV models save 25% more energy compared to conventional models.
If everyone uses a TV, DVD, and sound system carrying an ENERGY STAR rating, greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by 2.8 billion pounds.
How to Choose an ENERGY STAR Certified Smart TV?
If you already own an energy-efficient TV, calculate your typical usage. You can also get a home energy monitor to find ways to lower power consumption in the bathroom, kitchen, and the entire house.
When you set out to buy a smart TV, look for these features:
Light-emitting diode (LED) technology: Make sure it is not OLED, or else you will pay more upfront and in lifelong costs.
High Dynamic Range (HDR): This feature offers amazing picture quality, a wider range of colors, contrast levels, and highlights.
Streaming capabilities: Streaming is not just for binge-watching on-demand shows. You can connect smart devices, apps, speakers for your enhanced convenience.
HDMI plugs: There should be more than three HDMI input ports so the TV can accommodate elements like a cable box, game console, etc.
TV size: Measure the living room size, your furniture, and the line sight to find an ENERGY STAR certified smart TV in the right size.
Most of all, check if it has these TV energy efficiency features:
Automatic Brightness Control: Control the brightness of the screen according to the time of the day, your personal preference, and other factors.
Local Dimming: Dim parts of the LED backlighting and achieve deeper blacks for an improved TV viewing experience.
Picture Settings: ENERGY STAR label pre-programmed picture settings, such as vivid, cinema, and sports, ensure significant energy savings.
Get Additional Savings on TVs with ENERGY STAR Rating
Besides lowering your TV power consumption, there are some crucial steps to achieve additional savings. For instance, choose prepaid electricity plans from Acacia Energy and enjoy your ENERGY STAR certified smart TV for a longer time.
Pay as you go plans let you stay within budget by monitoring your energy usage in real-time.
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