There are so many types of televisions available that shopping for a new one can be daunting. Here are some tips for finding a television that will look good and save money on your energy bill.
What to look for:
- OLED vs LCD. Most televisions fall into two categories: LCD (liquid crystal display) or OLED (organic light emitting diode). OLEDs offer higher contrast ratios, tend to be slimmer and use the least amount of energy. LCDs tend to be brighter and more vibrant in color and are less expensive than the OLEDs.
- Check the label. Today’s televisions are more energy efficient, but all are not equal. Check the EnergyGuide label to compare models and look for an ENERGY STAR® label. Models that meet the ENERGY STAR® guidelines are about 25 percent more efficient than standard models.
- Consider size. The larger the TV, the more power it consumes. You may not need that 90-inch screen if your room is small. Here’s how to determine the best size TV for your room: Measure the distance from your couch to where you want to place the TV. Divide the distance in feet by 1.6 then multiply by 12 to find the ideal size for your room. For example, if you sit 10 feet away from the TV, divide by 1.6 then multiply by 12 to get 72 inches.
How energy savvy are you?
See if you can spot other common energy wasters in the home.
How to save while watching:
- Turn the television off when you leave the room. For even more savings, plug the set into a power strip and turn it off when not in use because televisions can use electricity even when they’re turned off.
- Disable the quick start feature and turn down the screen brightness.
- If you’re streaming music, use the radio screen or blank feature to turn off the screen while listening.
- Use Duke Energy’s mobile app to monitor your energy use and make changes to fit your budget. It’s available in Apple and Android app stores.