April 16th, the day the Energy Star Rebate program for appliances began and ended in IL, consumers saw the importance and popularity of the Energy Star rating system. Not only is the Energy Star revolution going to make this world a better place, but also it will make paying energy bills each month a little less daunting.

Just a few days ago, May 1st, Energy Star standards changed for TVs. Previously, a 50” TV could meet Energy Star 3.0 requirements as long as it didn’t consume more than 318 watts. Now under Energy Star 4.0’s stringent standards, the same size TV can’t exceed burning more than 153 watts—just less than half of Energy Star 3.0 requirements. Energy Star 4.0 will also demand TVs not burn more than one single watt of energy while in sleep or standby mode.

Major TV manufacturers were prepared for the new Energy Star requirements. Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and others are all producing TVs to meet the new stricter standards.

What does this mean for you? By burning less energy, you will reduce your monthly energy bill as well as release fewer greenhouse gasses into the environment. The new Energy Star standards will reduce energy consumption by 40%.

Energy Star 4.0 requirements are far from where they need to be. If you are hesitant to purchase an Energy Star 4.0 model anticipating Energy Star 5.0, consider that you will have to wait until May of 2012. Manufacturers will have until then to produce TVs that are 60% more energy efficient than models produced prior to May 1, 2010.

-Kelly B.