This page provides acquisition guidance for televisions (TVs). Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR®-certified products or Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated products for all covered product categories except as specifically exempted by law.
FEMP's acquisition guidance and ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements apply to products that are marketed to consumers as, and meet ENERGY STAR definitions of, TVs and home theater displays. The products must also have the capability to be powered from a wall outlet or external power supply. All other types of TVs are excluded, including but not limited to projectors, TVs with a battery allowing them to operate without mains power, and products that are covered under other ENERGY STAR specifications.
This acquisition guidance was updated in December 2024.
How To Find Product Efficiency Requirements
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides TV efficiency levels and product specification information on its ENERGY STAR website. Manufacturers meeting these requirements are allowed to display the ENERGY STAR label on complying models.
TVs must also meet FEMP low standby power requirements. Standby power is the electricity consumed by a product when in the lowest energy consuming mode, which typically occurs when the product is switched off or not performing its primary function. For TVs, buyers can assume all ENERGY STAR-certified products meet FEMP’s Low Standby Power limit of 1 W.
Did you know?
The default picture setting is used to earn the ENERGY STAR label. To ensure energy savings, make sure to use the ENERGY STAR setting.
How To Determine Cost Effectiveness
An efficient product is cost effective when the lifetime energy savings exceed the up-front cost premium (if any) compared to a less efficient option. You can find more information about determining life cycle cost effectiveness on our general guidance page.
See Table 1 below for an example comparing the life cycle cost savings of a base model (less efficient than the ENERGY STAR required efficiency), a model meeting the ENERGY STAR efficiency and a model with the highest available efficiency.
Example: 54.5-Inch Light Emitting Diode (LED) TV
FEMP has calculated that an ENERGY STAR-certified 54.5-inch LED TV meeting the active mode power and standby power limits in the specification saves money if it costs no more than $31 (in 2023 dollars) above the less-efficient model. The best available model shown below is cost effective if it costs no more than $47 above the less-efficient model (or $16 above the required model).
Table 1. Lifetime Savings for Efficient TV Models
| Model Efficiency Level | Best Available | ENERGY STAR | Less Efficient |
| Annual Energy Use (kWh) | 133 | 168 | 235 |
| Annual Energy Cost | $15 | $18 | $26 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost | $62 | $78 | $109 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | $47 | $31 | ====== |
Energy Use and Cost Assumptions
Annual Energy Use: Calculated based on active mode power and standby power using the test method referenced in 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix H. The calculation assumed 1,825 hours of usage in active mode, 6,935 hours in standby mode, and a product life of 5 years in alignment with ENERGY STAR savings calculations.
Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an energy price of 11¢/kWh, which is the average electricity price at federal facilities in the United States as of July 2024. Learn more about Federal Government Energy/Water Use and Emissions data.
Lifetime Energy Cost: Used future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate from Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis – 2024: Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709 (NISTIR 85-3273-39).
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the identified models.
Model Efficiency Level
Best Available: Based on the model with the lowest energy consumption in the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products List as of December 2024. More efficient models may have entered the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance was created.
ENERGY STAR: Based on ENERGY STAR required power limits as of December 2024 Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
Less Efficient: Based on the model with the highest active and standby power draw from market data collected by ENERGY STAR for their internal savings calculations. Note energy savings will vary depending on actual usage.
Where To Buy Compliant Products
Buyers can make sure the product they purchase will be compliant by incorporating federal acquisition regulation language into contracts. Compliant products can also be found using federal supply sources and product codes. See our general guidance page for more details on buying compliant energy-using products.
TV Product Codes
The Defense Logistics Agency Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC) identifies items with energy characteristics that meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR. Purchasers can also use a United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) to identify and buy products and to track purchases.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) ENAC for TVs is KK.
The UNSPSC for TVs is 52161505 and for plasma screen TVs is 52161542.
Other Tips for Choosing and Using the Best Product Efficiently
Tips for Selecting the Best TV
When comparing different types of TVs it is important to consider how the product’s features affect its energy use and lifetime costs, in addition to other factors.
- TVs with smaller screens use less energy than those with larger screens.
- Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens that use LED technology tend to be the most energy efficient.
- The automatic brightness control (ABC) feature controls the brightness of the TV relative to the brightness of the room in which it is located. Selecting TVs with this feature can enhance the viewing experience and also save energy since ABC only activates when necessary.
- Look for LED-backlit LCD TVs with local dimming, which allows sections of the LED backlighting to turn off or dim. This helps produce deep black levels and saves energy.
- The U.S. Department of Energy's Appliance Energy Calculator can help buyers estimate the energy cost of a TV based on typical usage to better inform purchasing decisions.
- Some utilities offer rebates or other incentives for the purchase of ENERGY STAR-certified products. Use the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder to see if your local utility offers these incentives.
See ENERGY STAR buying guidance for other key TV features that impact energy use, performance and convenience.
Tips for Using TVs More Efficiently
When used and handled properly, energy-efficient TVs provide years of safe and effective service. To ensure continued energy savings, make sure to use the ENERGY STAR pre-set picture setting as much as possible. Many TVs are now shipping with picture settings that viewers can select, such as vivid, sports, or cinema, which affect the TV’s brightness and contrast ratio. The pre-set or default picture setting is the most efficient one to use since it is the setting that has been used to earn the ENERGY STAR label. In addition, plugging your TV and components into a smart power strip can prevent energy waste when the system is not powered on.