| Millions of television sets are sold each year. | | | | environment through energy efficient products and |
| Consumers make the choice between plasma, CRT, | | | | practices. The program requires products with the |
| LCD and other types of television technologies. They | | | | Energy Star label to meet strict energy efficiency |
| select the size to suit their needs as well; from a few | | | | guidelines. The program covers computers, monitors, |
| inches to the theater like 103 inch screens. Selecting a | | | | office equipment, heating & cooling, major |
| television set involves thousands of choices. But what | | | | appliances, home electronics, lighting, new homes, and |
| if consumers could select the size and type of screen | | | | more. In 2005 alone, it is estimated that the program |
| that they wish and end up saving thousands of | | | | saved American's at least $12 billion on their utility bills |
| dollars over the life of the television in energy costs? | | | | and eliminated potential greenhouse emissions |
| Or what if that same consumer could also significantly | | | | equivalent to that created by 23 million cars. |
| reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions | | | | As consumers go out shopping for their next |
| while getting the television of their dreams? | | | | television, they might want to consider a few facts. |
| Consumers do have the option of adding one more | | | | The EPA and Department of Energy estimate that if |
| choice during their television shopping experience that | | | | half of all US households replaced their current |
| could end up saving them 1/3 on their energy costs | | | | television with an Energy Star model, the change |
| and significantly improve the quality of air through the | | | | would be equivalent to shutting down one entire |
| Energy Star program. | | | | power plant. In fact, an Energy Star qualified |
| Energy Star has been around since the early 1990's. | | | | television uses about 30% less energy than standard |
| It is a joint program of the US Environmental | | | | units. In addition, if every television sold this year was |
| Protection Agency and the US Department of | | | | Energy Star qualified, it would mean 9 billion pounds |
| Energy. The goal of the program is to assist | | | | less air pollution. |
| consumers in saving money and to protect the | | | | |