LED, LCD and Plasma TVs are more energy efficient than old tube TVs, but you can really see a difference in your power bills if you follow these tips for your new HDTV.

1. Connect your HDTV and all peripheral devices (Blu-Ray, Surround Sound Home Theatre, game consoles) to a power strip, and turn it off when it’s not in use.

2. Put your HDTV in “movie” or “cinema” mode for the best visual experience and less power consumption. Adjust picture settings for the best balance between a bright picture and less power use. Confused by all the settings options? Let your full-service home theatre systems integrator do it for you when we install your flat panel HDTV.

3. Turn down the backlight on your LCD-TV, and reduce ambient light in the room for the best viewing experience with lower power consumption.

4. Use blackout shades in your home theatre to complete the cinema experience and allow for less backlight on the HDTV.

5. Connect your new HDTV to a whole home control system that turns off the HDTV and all its home theatre components when it senses that there’s no one in the room, and adjusts the picture settings automatically based on ambient light. While you’re at it, have your full-service audio video professional program your new control system to turn off the lights, lower the shades, turn on the HDTV at the optimal sound levels and press play on the Blu-Ray player with one touch for family movie night. Doesn’t that sound like so much more fun?

To learn more ways the latest home theatre technology and whole house control systems can save you money on your energy bills, visit the JD Pro booth at the upcoming Green and Clean Expo, presented by the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, March 10, 2011 from 8:30 to 2:30 PM at The Vanderbilt at South Beach.