Power savers: Energy-efficient HDTVs

David Katzmaier, Senior Editor November 9, 2009

At CNET, we've been testing the power consumption of HDTVs since 2006, and during that time the sets have generally become more energy efficient. That doesn't mean TV manufacturers can't still make improvements, however. The state of California, for example, is adopting a new regulation that would put even stricter standards on TV energy use starting in 2011. There's also a new version of Energy Star launching next year that's even more strict.

But rather than focus on the future of TV power use, the list below compiles the most efficient HDTVs available today. It includes a variety of screen sizes, but that's mainly because we generally only test one size in a given series. But make no mistake: smaller screens definitely use less power in general, so if you're really interested in greening up, get as small a TV as you find comfortable.

Five out of the six sets also use LED technology in some way, which costs a mint for flat-screen models--the lone exception is the extremely green, relatively inexpensive Sharp LC-46LE700UN. The only set without LED backlighting is Sony's KDL-46VE5, one of the most-efficient sets of its kind that also sports a unique automatic turn-off feature. That said, several non-LED-based LCDs came within a few dollars per year of making the list, too--the efficiency difference between the green chops of the two backlighting technologies isn't extreme (more information).

As for plasma TVs, the most-efficient model we've tested this year is Panasonic's TC-P46G10, which can only come close to making this list by virtue of its overly-dim default picture setting. Equalized for light output, it uses at least twice as much power as a similar-size LCD.

More Resources

Guide to TV power efficiency,

The chart: Compare power use of 150 HDTVs,

FAQ: Can flat-screen TVs make the efficiency grade?,

Say no to the supersized TV, EPA hints