EnergyGuide labels on TVs coming to showrooms next year

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Televisions will soon wear energy-use tags in the showroom, similar to those currently found on refrigerators, the Federal Trade Commission decided Wednesday.

TVs manufactured after May 10, 2011, must have EnergyGuide labels displaying a set’s estimated annual energy cost, along with information comparing the model with other similar-sized televisions, the FTC said.

“Unlike many years ago, before flat screens and plasma, today’s televisions vary widely in the amount of energy they use,” FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz said in a statement. “By comparing information on the EnergyGuide labels, consumers will be able to make better-informed decisions about which model they choose to buy, based on how much it costs to operate per year.”

Manufacturers will be required to put the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide labels, which can be found on washing machines and many other home appliances, on the front of TVs, and the rectangular or triangular labels must be displayed on TVs in showrooms as well, said Mitchell J. Katz, an FTC spokesman.

Beginning July 11, 2011, websites that sell televisions will be required to display an image of the full EnergyGuide label, Katz said.

-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles