Beginning Feb. 17, 2009, all TV stations will begin broadcasting in digital signals instead of analog. For consumers who receive over-the-air TV, non cable or satellite TV subscribers, a digital-to-analog (DTA) converter box or digital TV will be needed in order to watch TV.

DTAs are designed to convert digital TV broadcast signals to analog signals. For people who don't want to buy a new digital TV set or subscribe to cable or satellite TV, DTAs are the only option for receiving television broadcasts. Unfortunately, some estimates indicate the use of DTAs may cost Americans $270 million per year in higher electricity bills.

There will be several different types of DTAs to choose from when they become available in the United States in late 2008, but they are not all created equal - or equally energy efficient. Because of this, consumers should remember there are two price tags when buying electronic equipment, the purchase price and the ongoing operation costs, which can add up over time.

ENERGY STAR^® qualified DTAs will operate using a fraction of the energy compared to DTAs currently available on the global market, saving consumers money on energy bills.

The energy saved also means a healthier environment, with fewer fossil fuels needed to produce electricity, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emission levels. If all DTAs meet ENERGY STAR specifications, Americans could save 13 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) and more than $1 billion in energy costs and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions would be equivalent to those of one million cars.

For those who choose the option of purchasing a digital TV, looking for the ENERGY STAR is still a good idea, added Fey. ENERGY STAR qualified TVs use about 30 percent less energy than their standard model counterparts. When searching for a new flat panel TV, Focus on Energy recommends purchasing LCD models over plasma because they use less energy.

For more information, please visit:
     Federal Communications Commission's The Digital TV Transition

     TV Converter Box coupon program