Televisions

While a big, cheap television may be tempting, it could cost you in the long run.  The type of technology, screen size and brightness all contribute to how much electricity your television will use.

Energy star rating

When you buy a new television, look for the Energy Rating Label.  

There are two things to look out for –  a star rating and an energy consumption number.

Check the number of stars. The more stars, the more electricity you save. Each additional star is 20% more energy efficient than the previous star.

Make sure you compare similar televisions. For example, a 42-inch television with 6 stars is more efficient than another 42-inch television with only 5 stars.

Secondly, check the number in the red box.  This number shows how many kWh of electricity it will use in one year. The lower the number, the cheaper it will be to run.

Buying an energy efficient television

Aim to buy a model with at least 5 stars

The biggest factor in energy efficiency is screen size

LED and LCD TVs use less electricity than plasmas

How big does it need to be? Modern TV screens can be massive, but so can their energy usage. Downsizing a bit can save you a lot on running costs.

Save energy with your TV

Turn off the TV at the wall when not in use – stand-by mode still uses power

Check that the 'power-saver' mode is turned on

The brighter the screen, the more electricity it is using

Use the Energy Rating Calculator

The Energy Rating Calculator is a tool that helps you calculate running costs - it compares the energy use and costs of specific television models.

Recycling  

When replacing a television, consider recycling your old one. Search Recycling near you to find your closest recycling point.