Hitachi Energy Star plasma televisions, where do they rank?

Hitachi showed off their New Plasma HDTVs at the CEDIA Expo in Denver last week.

The new ENERGY STAR compliant plasma televisions from Hitachi are available in two screen sizes (42-inch and 50-inch).  GetWithGreen.com compared the operating power levels of the Hitachi 50-inch plasma to the models we discussed with you late last year.   The 50-inch models (P50A202 and P50A402) both rank right in the middle of the pack with the other ENERGY STAR plasma televisions.  

The A, S, V and X Series are available now. The Hitachi 2008 Plasma Display Panels are priced as follows. In all instances below, pricing indicated is the Manufacturer’s Advertised Price (MAP): 

• 42-inch A-Series (model P42A202): $1,399
  (Avg Power: 249W, Max Power: 386W)
• 50-inch A-Series (models P50A202/P50A402): $1,599 each
  (Avg Power: 288W, Max Power: 480W)
• 50-inch S-Series (model P50S602): $2,199
  (Avg Power: 388W, Max Power: 571W)
• 50-inch V-Series (model P50V702): $2,499
  Avg Power: 398W, Max Power: 586)
• 50-inch X-Series (model P50X902): $3,199
  Avg Power: 398, Max Power: 586W)

GetWithGreen.com commends Hitachi for making it easy for buyers to find plasma power consumption numbers in the Hitachi manuals.

The new Hitachi HDTVs feature high gloss Japan black and high gloss crystal frames with manual swivel stands or remote controlled power swivel stands. The new UltraBlack Panels boxed cell structure produces darker blacks and the new proprietary phosphor formulations deliver industry leading deep, rich colors say Hitachi.

The new PictureMaster(TM) VI digital video processor features the second generation of Hitachi’s Reel60(TM) technology, a patented innovation that, according to the manufacturer, eliminates “judder” for the ultimate in smooth, clear motion. The new HDTVs also debut a new feature for film enthusiasts called Cinema48(TM). Working with 24p HDMI inputs, Cinema48 provides viewers with the same visual timing and feeling that they experience in movie theaters.

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WE GOT GREEN: This Panasonic ceiling fan is SILENT and efficient!

Quick update on the Panasonic ceiling fan that we purchased a few weeks ago for our GetWithGreen remodel.

If you recall, we purchased the most efficient fan from ENERGY STAR list - the Panasonic WhisperGreen FV-08VKS1.  The fan was installed this week. 

You can adjust the CFM between 30-70 (easily).  What is amazing about this ventilation fan is that it is SILENT when running.  You cannot hear it at all!  We guarantee that your kids will forget to turn it off!   To counter this, we are going to install a motion sensor switch.  

If we had to purchase again we might consider the FV-08VKM1 with the built in motion sensor.   The FV-08VKM1 can be configured to to turn off anywhere between 30s-60min after motion is no longer detected.    

We purchased the Panasonic fan at Galaxy Lighting in San Jose, CA.  It cost us about Read more

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REBATES: Energy Star Tax Holiday in Texas (May 24-26)

Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday
Memorial Day Weekend
May 24 ? 26, 2008

During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products. The 2008 Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day).

The products qualifying for the exemption are:

• air conditioners priced under $6,000 (room and central units)
• clothes washers (but not clothes dryers*)
• ceiling fans
• dehumidifiers
• dishwashers
• light bulbs (incandescent and fluorescent)
• programmable thermostats
• refrigerators priced under $2,000.
  *  Because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, Energy Star does not label clothes dryers.

Qualifying products will display the Energy Star logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the Energy Star means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by these two federal agencies.

There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required.  For more information click here.

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APPLIANCES: The Best Washing Machines of 2008

At GetWithGreen.com we appreciate good solid investigative efforts, which brings real insight to all of homeowners who are remodeling.  Justin Thomas over at MetaEfficient.com just completed some serious investgation on 2008 washing machines, and it is excellent. 

MetaEfficient’s article digs deep into the ENERGY STAR website (saving you valuable time!), and exposes the most efficient machines by manufacturer.    If you are in the market for a new washing machine this is a must read!  

Check out:  The Most Efficient Washing Machines of 2008.

Related Stories on GetWithGreen.com

• The New Kenmore Elite Oasis
• Sub-Zero Launches GrowAGreenKitchen.com
• Who took J.D. Powers top award?

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ENERGY STAR: New podcast offers tips for efficiency of your remodel

ENERGY STAR® Shows Simplicity of Home Energy Efficiency in New Video Podcast.  This short podcast goes room by room and offers you easy tips to incorporate in your home today, and your remodel!  You can watch it online, or on your iPod.

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire - February 19, 2008) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program today released its first ever video podcast, At Home with ENERGY STAR. The video podcast is hosted by Tom Kraeutler, the voice of the nationally syndicated radio program The Money Pit and the Home Improvement Editor for AOL. Kraeutler takes viewers on a room-by-room tour, pointing out areas for energy-efficient improvements. The podcast also brings to life ENERGY STAR’s interactive tool, ENERGY STAR @ home (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home), which offers energy saving tips for every room of the house.

GetWithGreen.com found the podcast under the Products section of the Energy Star site.

“This podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to make green improvements to their home while saving money,” said Kraeutler. “Homeowners can use it as a step-by-step guide to improving their home’s energy efficiency. The tips we discuss are incredibly simple yet make a great impact on energy bills and the environment.”

Filmed at a home in Seattle, Washington, At Home with ENERGY STAR gives real life examples of easy tips that homeowners can use to help save energy. For example, if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent light, we would save enough energy to light more than three million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

“Most Americans do not realize that the average home produces twice as much greenhouse gas as the average car,” said Denise Durrett, communications manager for ENERGY STAR. “By making a few small changes at home Americans can join the fight against global warming and make a real difference.”

Tips offered in the video podcast include how replacing an older refrigerator can cut energy bills in half, installing a programmable thermostat, ensuring a home has adequate insulation and unplugging cell phone chargers when not in use.

The video podcast is available for viewing on the ENERGY STAR Web site. The podcast is also available on iTunes, the AOL Real Estate Web site at www.realestate.aol.com and The Money Pit Web site at www.moneypit.com.

Make sure you look into the GetWithGreen.com categories to your right for appliances, insulation, and ceiling fan products that go a long ways toward improving efficiency in your home! 

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AUDIO/VISUAL: New Energy Star standards set for Televisions

Because you are putting them in your new kitchens, GetWithGreen.com reported to you months ago that the ENERGY STAR team was working on new energy usage requirements for TVs that are powered “ON”. 

As you may know if you read our review of 50″ plasmas, the ONLY thing ENERGY STAR offers today for is a review of the power TVs use when they are turned “OFF”. 

Today, ENERGY STAR announced that on November 1, 2008 TVs will be required to use 30% less power in the ON mode - if they want to claim Energy Star compliance!  The requirement for televisions over 50 inches would be 318 Watts when turned ON.  In our recent review you will see that today’s ENERGY STAR televisions do not meet the standards, so we are in for some improvements!!

Here is what ENERGY STAR had to say:

(Washington, D.C. - Feb. 5, 2008) Today EPA is announcing a revised Energy Star specification for televisions. Effective Nov. 1, 2008, TVs that carry the Energy Star label will be up to 30 percent more efficient than conventional models and will save energy while they are on and when they are off. The new modifications are expected to prevent greenhouse gas emissions while offering U.S. consumers the very best in terms of feature-rich, high-quality TVs.

“Energy Star’s new specifications for televisions are turning the channel on energy guzzling sets ? making them go the way of rabbit-ears and the black and white TV,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

After the new specification goes into effect, if all TVs sold in the United States meet the Energy Star requirements, the savings in energy costs will grow to about Read more

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WINDOWS: Vinyl replacement window terminology

At GetWithGreen.com we want to start helping to demystify the terminology around windows.   If you are looking at new windows for your remodel then it is important for you to understand how to read the spec sheets when it comes to efficiency.  Window installer John Rocco gives you this overview…

With so many homeowners in the market for more energy efficient windows and doors for their home, I thought I would use this week?s article to cover the more common terms used to describe a window?s ability to insulate your home from the elements. There is an organization called The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). Their purpose is to test each window manufacturer?s product to independently verify the ratings for each test administered. So, let?s discuss each test and what it means.

First, there is the U-Factor. This number represents Read more

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AUDIO-VISUAL: ZVOX 415 theater system is Energy Star compliant

In the category of home audio and video, the team at ZVOX Audo has just made their first contribution to Energy Star compliant products. 

The new ZVOX 415 single-cabinet home theater system is the company?s first Energy Star Qualified product, which uses a highly-efficient (over 88% efficiency) Energy Star Qualified external power supply.

The ZVOX 415 is a true single-cabinet surround sound system. Unlike many similar systems and ?soundbars,? the 415 doesn?t require anything else ? no control console, no separate subwoofer cabinet, no other speakers, no speaker wires. Because it?s all in one slim cabinet, the 415 is visually a perfect match for flat-panel TVs. With only one connecting cord and a one-page owner?s manual, it is truly ?plug and play.?

         

The 415 is only Read more

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