High Energy Bills? Get a New TV
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Woman holding controls looking at television in shop, overhead view
People love their TVs, and in many homes, they’re on all the time. But what many people don't know is that your TV can eat up more electricity than your refrigerator.
“A lot of people don't realize that their television is number one or two on their electric bill, but they don't see that because it's not itemized,” said Best Buy rep James Campbell.
The good news is that new televisions on the market now are much more energy efficient. Beginning this month, the government implemented new more stringent guidelines for Energy Star TV ratings.
This means if you find a TV with an Energy Star rating, it's 30 percent more efficient than one without and replacing your old TV could save you big money.
"At least on a yearly basis, 10 percent over an older TV or an older LCD plasma set. That could be up to, depending on how much you use your television, upwards of $190 a year,” said Campbell.
Add surge protector and eliminate spike in electricity.
“A lot of people don't realize that there is a constant electrical spikes coming in and as that's happening it's actually costing you more money,” said Campbell.
One more factor to figure in, LCD's consume less power than plasma TVs. Some estimates say LCD's use 30 percent less electricity.
Posted Tuesday, Dec 2, 2008 - 8:47 PM EST
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