Big flat-panel TVs gobble the power

The popularity of big flatpanel televisions has drawn the attention of energy agency officials and conservationists because of higher electricity consumption. Since 2000, “We’ve seen energy consumption from TVs jump from 3 percent [of residential electric use] to 8 percent and climbing,” said Adam Gottlieb of the California Energy Commission.

“If we sat on our hands and did nothing ... we would need to build a $615 million power plant,” he said, to supply power for all of the state’s flat-panel TVs by 2020.

Sales figures for TVs during the nation’s lengthy recession surprised some analysts.

“Here we are in a terrible economic time, and the demand for TVs of all kinds has grown incredibly,” said Tamaryn Pratt ...