New, big screen TV’s are sleek and flashy, but that TV may just keep draining you.  Those luxury electronics can be energy hogs.  Christine Knapp is with environmental consumer group Penn Future.   "Plasma's are usually the least energy efficient,” says Knapp.  “The LCD is somewhere in between and the projectors are usually more efficient."

A 42-inch plasma can consume more electricity than a full-sized refrigerator, even when that TV is on only a few hours a day.  "One review I looked at said that a tv could cost anywhere from $33 a month to over $200 a month to run," says Knapp. 

There are things you can do.  Simply dimming the brightness can save energy.  Plus, most TV’s have a power saver mode, use it.  Otherwise your big screen will suck up watts even when it's off.  A power strip as a central turn off point for all your entertainment equipment helps combat that.  The EPA is taking action over flat screen energy use.  In November, TV’s that carry the energy star label will be up to 30% more efficient than conventional models.