How Green Is My Screen?

Got a TV set? Something like 99 out of 100 American households do. And with the transition to digital TV broadcasts and the growing popularity of HD and flat-screen television sets, many of those households are getting newer, bigger TVs.

But how much do you know about how that new TV will affect your carbon footprint? Are America's couch potatoes warming more than their sofa cushions?

Find out by taking our quiz! 

Comments

[Malcolm Byrd]

I appreciate the service Sierra Club is providing to the public. I did better on the quiz than I thought I would. I'm surprised by the number of comments that seem less than positive. I use rabbit ears with an old TV. When the big switch comes, there a good chance I be out of the TV watching business.

[Paul Johnson]

It seems misleading to ask technical questions that have different correct answers depending on the age of the technology and specific instances. Every technology has a different maturation. Also, if a standard has changed but has not been universally disseminated you can't expect even the most knowledgeable consumer to be aware of it. To consider green-ness a matter of degree is to accept that we will never be completely green and that our choices will always be imperfect.

[Bob Harris]

Just a few friendly suggestions:
1. I just took the "How Green is My PC" quiz and received the message that my "system needs a little defragging," in the sense that I missed some questions. The link mistakenly took me here (to a comment thread on televisions, rather than computers), so perhaps you should "defrag" first. I lost full credit for not responding that my computer will not lose its network connection when in the "low-power, sleep" mode. Not so: my year-old Dell notebook loses its wireless connection whenever it sleeps. Your response was that "newer PCs are designed to sleep while remaining on network." The question asked about "your computer." I answered it correctly (and in any event, my computer is "newer"). Also, I lost full credit for saying that "as processors get more powerful, they likewise increase their power demands." Your response was that "smart engineering means that they OFTEN also use less energy." But that wasn't the question: more power takes more energy, even though changes in technology may OFFSET that effect. Some 300HP autos use less fuel that yesterday's 200HP autos, but that doesn't negate the positive relationship between power and fuel consumption. I'm adding 20 points to my score and deducting 20 from yours, in the interest of accuracy and fairness. :)

[christi]

I do lose my internet connection when my computer goes to sleep, so the answer to # 9 needs to be qualified at least:

If your PC goes into low-power/sleep mode, you will lose your network connection.
Your Answer: True
0 out of 10 points.

[Cathy Goldwater]

Umm, it's me again from a minute ago. For some reason, my comment, which was about the How Green is my PC? quiz, was posted on the ...TV.. quiz. It refers to the PC quiz.

[Cathy Goldwater]

I read a lot of environmental news these days, and although I did fairly well on the quiz, I still learned a lot that was new to me. I plan to pass this quiz on to friends and my children.

[Doreen]

Thx for the quiz. Getting green info quickly is a bonus and testing oneself makes that info more memorable.

[goodheart101]

I was amazed to learn how much these new HDTV's use in electricity even in Stand-by mode. When in standby mode they can use as much as 1,440 kwph. They can add approx. $50.00 more a month on the electric bill. Since learning that our tv went to a plug in switch at the outlet which can turn it off completely when not in use. Sorry I did not learn this BEFORE purchasing a compliance tv. And I also learned that these new digital tvs have spyware abilities in them which can be used to listen to converations in the home. That was through an article in a magazine I was reading. Before buying one of these new tvs check out how much electric they will use even when off. I wondered why electric bill took such a spike, until my son-in-law told me about it, and I did some research myself.

[Cynthia Wood]

This "quiz" is utterly useless to me.Please just give the information I need straight without gimmicks. And I do need info being a senior woman not technical savvy. thanks. CW

[Aminna]

Newer TVs & Computer monitors come with built-in standby mode which kicks on if the screen doesn't receive a signal within a specified time. While in standby the screen's lamp(s) are powered down (saving electricity AND the life of the lamp) and depending on screen fans, internal processes may also be powered down in standby.

"Burn-in" was a big problem in early models of Plasma/LCD. Things like the CNN ticker would 'burn out' areas of the screen when it was left on for long periods of time. A combo of standby, newer software that shifts images tiny bits to avoid burn in, and hardware has reduced the burn-in problem.

All of my screens have modifiable standby times so I can increase or decrease the time before standby - really worth modifying if you leave your computer on processing tasks that don't require monitor time.

[BC]

the quiz refers to tv's on "standby mode".
a tv is either on or off. just what the hell is standby mode?

bc

[Mike L]

A message for Charles A.
Though true the carbon being burnt buy us was in the environment and would eventually be put back into the atmosphere this would take millions of years to happen as it took millions of years for the natural cycle to create that carbon based fossil fuel. We are extracting and releasing carbon in a matter of decades that would take millions of years to naturally occur. This is drastically changing the “natural cycle” and creating a very un-natural cycle. That’s the problem.
It’s not the energy we us it’s were we get the energy from that is the problem!

[Mike L]

I agree this quiz does not provide the information needed to make the best overall decision. I think most people that would actually take this quiz want to do what is best for the planet and this quiz only provides one little piece of information that I’m sure we all wanted to get from the time spent. Maybe there could be another quiz providing recycling information and detailed information on who really needs a new set or if the one they have will still work even if a converter is needed.
I think the best thing we could do is revolt!!! We all know this is being done to increase profits for the pay TV industry and TV manufacturers that have our government working for them. It’s ridicules! Freeing up more analog signals for our first responders, that’s not even an intelligent excuse to rip-off the American people. It wont be very long before the first responder agencies will be going to digital frequencies anyway. Maybe if they could actually get all the first responders talking on a frequency and then for some real reason ran out address the issue. It’s dumb dumb, dumb, I can’t believe people are buying into this.
BTW, I’m going to get the Phatest 179” LCD so I can ran the 11th hour over and over for the neighbors. ;-)

[Cathleen Caffrey]

I agree with the person who noted the absence of LED TV's.

Also, I agree with Barbara Lambert

My cable company tells me that if I can't afford a DVR and want to record one program while watching another, I will need TWO converter boxes once the digital equipment changeover happens, one for the TV and one for the VCR and/or DVD recorder.

I agree that this is only a benefit for those getting rich on the new equipment and the freed up air waves. It's no benefit to us.

[Dan S]

I scored 100% on the test and I know very little about TVs as I will continue to use my 20 year old 18" until it breaks. I've never had cable in my life and plan to never get it. But I was really annoyed recently when my VCR/DVD combo broke and I bought a new one. These "recorders" are no longer made with tuners so you can't tape from the TV onto VCRs anymore. So why do they call them recorders? Is this another ploy to get people onto cable.

[C Ed Wright]

Only firemen leave carbon footprints.

If you believe in carbon credits, try negotiating them at your local bank!

All the "carbon" in fossile fuels came out of the environment in the first place, at the same time as the rest of the fossile record, BECAUSE OF global catastrophe, and neither causing it nor resolving it. Burning it is just "recycling" it back into the environment, where it once belonged. We should begin to conserve it for other reasons, however.

As for this ridiculous TV changeover, just remember the forced breakup of the Bell System -- left alone, we'd now have landline, cell phone, cable TV & Internet, all on one bill, all for less than any one of them now -- and VAIP 'em! (Vote Against Incumbent Politicians!) Until they begin to realize they are supposed to work FOR us, not against us. Republicrats, Democlicans, who gives a crap whether or not they cheat on their wives! They're all really screwing US, 24-7.

[Charles R. Arterburn]

Wondering if a TV tuner card for the computer might be a viable alternative to buying the new digital TV. I don't know much about them--how well they work, system requirement issues, etc. Appreciate any feedback from someone with more experience. Thanks!

[Ross Heitkamp]

When considering the power differences betweeen different TVs, also consider that during warm months, these TVs will be warming a room you are occupying. Given that air conditioning has rather poor efficiency, that 300 watts the TV consumes will probably cost another 1000 watts to take that heat back out of the room.

By the way, that same effect is true with ALL of your appliances and lights! Those twisty bulbs (CFLs) also reduce your need for cooling, as does a more efficient fridge or other appliance.

[Sandra Brazil]

Just to say it one more time. Mike is so right on.

[kimberly t crane]

I apologize... It is Mike I agree with, Mike you r so on the "money"! K

[kimberly t crane]

I am with u Barbara, Alot of elderly get only $200.00 a month! Why? because when my grandmother was a young woman, she paid PENNIES into the ssdi. Cable started and was supposed to be " PAY" tv for NO commercials!!! Do u see commercials on cable? Now they got away with that "transition." Now it is Digital and PAY, PAY!! The newest test of the american people's patience and of course I see the ignorant jumping aboard that "scam-train" American TV is a FREEDOM that is being TAKEN from the people AGAIN for FINANCIAL gain and Control tactics! ALL of you "Conformers" are MISSING the ENTIRE point! They r stripping us of our rights and freedoms for the "global" enslavement!!
K

[Mike Chenoweth]

What a waste of time and money. We have been had again by the fat cats in Congress. The switch to Digital TV is merely another ploy to make the rich richer. Digital broadcast signals are lousy if they aren't perfect, and the picture comes and goes in a maddening disappearing act. It will drive a lot of people who exist with a current analog broadcast signal to cable or satellite, in order to have any TV at all, or if they are not rich enough to pay for cable, they will do without their primary contact to the rest of the world. Think poor and elderly who already have to choose between food and filling their prescriptions. If you are in a fringe area, forget it, because digital is all or nothing. It is a way to free up a lot of bandwidth so that a few people can get richer selling us something we've been able to get along without for all these years. And the cost of landfilling millions of perfectly good TVs will be astronomical, not to mention the energy and resource cost to replace them with the new variety.

[Barbara Lambert]

This is one time NOT to play test. I can't begin to answer these questions!

Just give us a clear para. on the subject to educate us so we know what to do.

My little old tv bit the dust, causing me to buy a new one. The new ones all had skinny screens, which pleased me because I could lift them, and the ugly things took up less space.

I had no tv choices, other than to find a used one somewhere. What SHOULD I have done??

[Noel Drew]

when I began the quiz, I immediately noticed that you had indeed left out of the choices the new LED DLP models. my new Samsung 50" uses only 50 watts more than my old CRT 27"--a total of 230 watts, but that includes the built-in sound system that is as good as my separate 100-watt sytem, so I no longer use that in conjunction with. also the LED lasts a lot longer than the previous projection light models, so--a viable option, I feel. For those of you interested, however, 50" is the smallest version of those now available.

[David Akin]

Quotes from crutchfield.com
Keep your old TV's working after the 2009 transition: The U. S Government is requiring all full power TV stations to stop broadcasting analog signal and switch to 100% digital broadcasting by Feb 17 2009. This will primarily affect viewers who rely on local over the air broadcasts recieved via antenna. Those viewers subscribing to cable shouldn't experience any interruption in service if needed the service provider will supply a Digital set top box. After Feb 17 2009 all TV'swith analog only tuners will have to be connected to a DIGITAL to ANALOG CONVERTER BOX, which connects between the antenna and the TV.(You will need one converter per TV)Using one of these boxes you should see improved picture quality for your local stations. It wonn't be true high definition; more like DVD quality.Converter boxes will sell for $40 to $70, but the government has set up a website (www.dtv2009.gov)that lets you apply for up to two $40 dollar coupons per household, to reduce the cost of the digital transition.

[Bob]

Huh? A guy that doesn't believe in global warming? I think there are plenty of photos of a shrinking polar ice cap. Anyone who needs more evidence than that is an idiot, i.e. Inhofe of OK.

For those against TV, yes, it is pretty much a waste of time. But sometimes it comes in handy and it would be nice to know which one uses the least energy. Driving to the movie theatre does use lots of energy, after all. Best if we all just worked in our own neighborhoods and had everything delivered to us. Peapod is very energy efficient as is UPS and the good old USPS. So, sell the car, entertain yourself at home and save lots of energy.

[pizzanut]

I am not one who buys into the whole global warming/carbon footprint charade. My tv already is digital-compatible, but beside the point, if it wasn't, I'd just buy a converter. In fact, I'll buy whatever I want, since last I knew, we still have a few freedoms left here in the US. Here's another thing; all you people buying into this nonsense are missing the bigger picture of the coming global govt./global religion that is being setup right before your very eyes, and you can't even see it. Not long after that, the world will be made new again, by God, and what you should be doing is making sure you will be included in that scenario.

[Alan Young]

If I buy one which one uses the most electricity. Are there standby electric costs
I hear rumors these costs vary a great deal betwen sets but no one mentiones them
Its like buying a car and not asking if it gets 6 or 40 MPG
Alan

[Larry Manhan]

We will accept any California TV at our location 8735 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park 91304, Large qtys we can arrange trucking

[myearth]

The correct answer is don't buy one. I don't watch TV--who needs all that junk? If we want to watch something (movies), we use our computers.

[paula carrell]

Another big question here is how/where are all those non-digital TVs be disposed of this Dec when folks buy new digital models? Few states have adequate/easy to use programs for safe disposal/recycling of such toxic electronics. What will happen in your locality?

[Joan]

Once again, this quiz misses the mark. Instead of questioning a policy that has a a whole country tossing perfectly good televisions to run out and by a new one, it's all about how to pick your new TV. I don't know the answers to these questions because I don't care. I for one have no intention of running out and buying a new TV in this planned act of mass obsolescence. My 10-year-old 19" is perfectly good. I get the very minimum cable service, so it should still work for a while, and if it doesn't maybe I'll decide I can live without TV. I don't watch it that much anyway.

[T. L. Adams]

One of the huge question has to be if one needs to get a new TV at all. Their are convertors (although of limited quality) that will allow my daughter to watch her "Between the Lions" and Spongebob at least until she outgrows those shows. I can postpone adding to landfill capacity, heavy metal loading into the landfill leachate, and the energy cost of manufacturing a new set.

My primary television is one of the last cabinet/console models that zenith made. For my lifestyle. I will miss that set, and I don't know where my family photos will now go, nor what my daughter can cover with stickers. I will miss the abillity to get broadcoasts signals from Lexington, Louisville and Cinciny, digital will need a much stronger signal than the analogs need for a passable picture.