Green Your TV

The wide-view, flat-screen, high-definition TVs that have become the norm these days are the SUVs of our living rooms, sucking energy from our walls (and wallets) like those gas-guzzling machines on the road.

But on Wednesday, the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted 5-0 to bring some moderation to our couch potato ways, reports the Associated Press, thus making the state the first in the nation to mandate energy-efficiency standards for all new TVs. Under the new rules, all 42-inch TV sets must use less than 183 watts by 2011 and less than 116 watts by 2013.

"Once again, California is leading the way, and we hope others will follow,'' said Noah Horowitz, senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, as reported by the AP.

With over 36.7 million people, California has the highest population of any state and represents a massive consumer market. Californians buy a whopping 11 percent of the 35.4 million TVs sold in the U.S. each year, according to industry figures. (Does this mean that when they're not in their cars, Californians are on their couches? Just saying ... ) Cutting down on the wattage consumed by TV-watching there, means more wattage for the rest of us (Put the stick down! I'm just kidding!)

Actually, history has shown that what happens in California has a lovely ripple effect across the rest of the country. The state's stringent fuel standards, for example, forced car makers to produce more efficient vehicles for the entire country. So we can all expect to see a lot more energy-efficiency in our living rooms in the next few years.

Of course, manufacturers say the new standards could hurt the local economy.

''Instead of allowing customers to choose the products they want, the commission has decided to impose arbitrary standards that will hamper innovation and limit consumer choice,'' said Jason Oxman, a vice president with the Consumer Electronics Association, according to the AP. ''It will result in higher prices for consumers, job losses for Californians, and lost tax revenue for the state.''

Bah-humbug!

For the record, Vizio Inc., the largest seller of flat screens, is embracing the new standards and says it can meet the challenge. (Go Vizio!)

Bear in mind, however that the Energy Star regulations, which are voluntary (i.e. not state-mandated), are stricter than the new regulations established by the CEC. But mandatory means definitely, while voluntary means ... "no thank you" if it affects our bottom line. (For more on the difference, check out this article on PCWorld.com.)

But back to that TV you're planning to buy on Black Friday. Here's some more good news: According to the CEC, nearly 1,000 HDTV models already on the market meet the efficiency standard of phase one and 300 meet the requirements for phase two.

So when you find yourself in the TV section of Best Buy or Wal-Mart or wherever else the day after Thanksgiving, ask the salesperson to point you in the direction of those models. After all, it pays to go green.

Photo courtesy of blakespot via Flickr.