You can see them on refrigerators, and now you can pick your TV based on an energy rating sticker appearing on LCD and plasma screens from big names like Sony and Panasonic.
Among the new TVs with the energy rating labels are Panasonic's new range of LCD and plasma panels, launched yesterday. Sony is also jumping onto the labeling scheme, with the stickers appearing on new Bravias.
The first thing you'll notice is that bigger screens don't necessarily mean a poorer energy star rating. For example, the 40in Sony Bravia W Series screens has a 2.5 star rating (as listed on the Sony site), while the 52inch model has a 3.5 star rating.
Second, the number of energy stars awarded to new TVs seems quite low. Sony's 40in W and Z Series screens both have 2.5 stars, while the XBR45 40in model only musters 2 stars. Panasonic's 42in TH-P42G10A only manages 2 stars (though other models get as high as 4 stars).
Panasonic says that room has been left in the ratings for future improvements in energy efficiencies - so while you might see 5 star fridges, many TVs will only manage 3 or 4.
So how much of a dent will an LCD or plasma put in your power bill? Panasonic has created a site - www.energy-wise.com.au - where you can calculate the quarterly or yearly running cost of a new LCD or plasma TV (though you can only select from a list of Panasonic TVs).
As an example, the Energy Wise site suggests a 37in TH-L37G10A LCD TV has a quarterly running cost of $7.23. A larger 42in TH-P42G10A plasma screen has a running cost of $13.67.
Interestingly, the Daily Telegraph print edition is reporting test results that show that a 50in Pioneer plasma uses less kiloWatts per year than a 4.5 star Westinghouse fridge.
With energy ratings for TVs becoming compulsory later this year, expect to hear a lot more about this next time you go shopping.