“Televisions might have gotten thinner, but their appetites for electricity have grown,” said Energy Star Vice President of Retail Operations Zack Dusenbury.

In fact, Energy Star official said there are about 275 million TVs currently in use in the U.S., consuming more than 50 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy each year.

As you’re shopping for a new TV, consider the average plasma TV uses about 339 watts, while an average LCD TV uses 213 watts. According to the consumer Web site CNET (www.cnet.com), rear-projection TVs are typically more efficient than LCDs and plasmas.

As with any appliance, there are simple ways to keep its power consumption in check. If your TV is equipped with the “quick start” feature, it could be using 25 to 50 watts even in standby mode — compared to a normal standby rate of one to three watts.

If you have an LCD, CNET recommends turning down the backlight. Some LCDs feature a “home” backlight setting, which is less intense than the default “retail” setting and considerably more efficient.

CNET also encourages consumers to use the “power saver” mode that is standard on many new TVs. Of course there are also some common-sense approaches you can take, as well. For example, spend some time fiddling with your TVs settings. Most TVs are very bright by default, which diminishes picture quality and soaks up electricity. You can compensate for a darker picture by dimming the lights in your viewing area, which will yield further energy savings.

“You can also save money by purchasing a smaller TV or watching less of it,” Dusenbury said. “Avoid running multiple TVs at once by having the people in your home watch TV together. But don’t be surprised if a fight breaks out over the remote.”

Visit www.energystar.gov for information on selecting a TV that meets Energy Star’s efficiency standards.