Stick to ENERGY STAR TVs, and save cash.

EPA’s ENERGY STAR program recently modified the way it measures the energy consumption in TVs, taking into account not just their standby power consumption but the much greater amounts your set eats up while you’re watching it. New TVs receiving top marks under EPA’s new program use two or three times less power to operate than the competition, which translates to two to three times more money saved over the life of the TV.

To find the most energy efficient TVs on the market which already meet the guidelines of ENERGY STAR version 5.1 (that goes into effect in May 2012), check out NRDC’s guide to energy efficient TVs here.