Take a Break from the Heat – Purchasing an Energy Efficient TV

While summertime is primarily about being outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, sometimes a break from the heat is a much needed reprieve. If you are spending some quality time in front of the television this summer, you might be losing out on big savings on your electricity bill.

Below are some features you should consider to help you find a TV that not only has beautiful picture quality, but will also save you some money this summer. Read on to learn how using advanced power strips with your TV can help with additional savings.

Things Have Changed

Televisions have changed over the years. Screens have become bigger, pictures have become sharper and the mechanics more efficient. There are several things to look for when purchasing a new TV for your home, but the most influential in terms of energy savings include:

Size

Think about the size you want and need. Keep in mind that the bigger and brighter the TV, the more electricity it will need. While televisions have overall become more efficient throughout the years, a smaller TV still generally requires less energy, so consider how big you really need that screen to be.

For every 10 inches your screen size increases, the television will use up to 70% more energy. Therefore when considering size, also consider the amount of use your television will get, how many TVs are in the entire house, and how much screen real estate actually makes a difference. These factors together will wind up making an impact on your total savings.

Type

With technology improving each year, plasma TVs are becoming a thing of the past. LCD TVs and OLED TVs are not only the top types of televisions sold today, but are also the most energy-efficient for your home.

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) televisions: These are the most popular TVs on the market today and are available in all different price ranges, so there are plenty of options in purchasing the one most suitable for you. LCD televisions typically use 30% less energy, have low heat generation, and have greater brightness when compared to plasma TVs.
• Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) televisions: OLED TVs are the most energy efficient type of TV on the market and delivers superior picture quality compared to other types of televisions. This exceptional OLED technology does come at a price, as these types of TVs tend to cost considerably more than standard LCD models, so keep your eye out for some worthwhile sales.

ENERGY STAR® Certified

When shopping for a new television, look for a model that is ENERGY STAR certified. These TVs have been tested and approved as the most efficient on the market.

• ENERGY STAR certified televisions are on average 25% more efficient than other non-certified models.
• ENERGY STAR televisions have ambient light control, adjusting the brightness dynamically based on the room’s lighting, saving energy when able.

For more information about the top television models that can save you money, check out ENERGY STAR Most Efficient TVs.

Power Strips

Power strips are more than just an extension of your wall outlet. They have become so advanced that they now can help save on energy and protect against surges, or random large electrical currents that can fry your electronics. Using power strips with your televisions can increase your energy savings.

How They Work

APS, or advanced power strips, work by preventing standby power loss; this is energy that is used by your appliances even when they are not on. The power strip can sense when a device is plugged in and eliminate power to that particular outlet when your television isn’t in use. Tier 2 advanced power strips even have a sensor to detect when you’re out of the room for long periods of time and turn off even the standby power to your TV.

Never a Better Time

Take advantage of available offers to you and save money when you purchase advanced power strips online. An advanced power strip can complement your new ENERGY STAR certified television nicely by ensuring it isn’t leeching energy.

To discover additional ways to save on energy with your appliances, read more on Mass Saver!