A couple weeks back in late April, the EPA revealed a new energy star specification for set-top boxes (those boxes that deliver television and video content). The new specification will ensure that qualified set-top boxes are at least 30% more efficient. According to the EPA, if all ~148 million set-top boxes in the United States were energy star qualified this would result in $2 billion in energy cost savings and a reduction in greenhouse gas equivalent to removing 2.5 million vehicles annually.

The specification will be effective as of January 1, 2009 – I would suggest contacting your cable or satellite provider and letting them know that you would be very interested in upgrading to a Energy Star qualified set-top box when they become available.