Who Gets the Most Picture from the Least Power? In TOPTEN USA's New Lists of Energy Efficient Televisions, Sharp, Samsung, and Magnavox Lead the Field

Jun 12, 2012 5:45 PM ET

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2012 / 3BL Media / PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It's a surprising trend: Even as manufacturers pack higher-tech features into their televisions, the new models use less and less electricity. In the latest rankings of the 10 efficiency leaders in three size categories from the nonprofit TopTen USA (toptenusa.org), even the largest model, the 70-inch Sharp Aquos LC-70LE745U, operates on only 64 watts, less than a typical incandescent light bulb. That's about half the power that the same-sized models used just a year ago.

With U.S. televisions in use 5 hours per day, according to government estimates, a television from one of the TopTen lists can be a considerable energy saver. "Choosing the best of the best matters," says Norman Dean, Executive Director of TopTen USA. "Few consumers realize that there is a wide range of power use even among the relatively efficient televisions that qualify for the Energy Star® label." In fact, the TopTen-listed models use about half the energy of televisions that just meet the Energy Star minimum standard. For example, the TopTen-ranked 60-inch Sharp LC-60LE847 is one of 59 Energy Star qualified televisions that size. But the annual energy consumption of the Sharp is estimated at 104.5 kilowatt hours, while other qualified 60-inch models use as much as 195 KwH.

Overall, Samsung led the way, with 12 of the 31 televisions on the three lists. But Sharp had the three category leaders for Large (46 inches or larger) TVs, and Magnavox had the top two small (less than 31 inches) models. Philips, Panasonic, LG, Insignia, and Sansui were also well represented. For more information, including methodology, visit toptenusa.org.

Background on TopTen USA

TopTen USA is a nonprofit founded in 2009 and dedicated to speeding the adoption of high-efficiency consumer products. Organized with the support of utilities, regional and national energy efficiency alliances, and national environmental groups, TopTen's experts identify the ten most efficient models in each of the most energy intensive consumer product categories. By promoting these "best of the best," TopTen makes it easy for consumers to find efficient options and encourages manufacturers and retailers to introduce increasingly efficient products. TopTen USA is allied with TopTen organizations in 16 European countries and China.

Media Contact:
Seth Bauer, VP Marketing
781-343-1161
seth@toptenusa.org