After midnight on February 17, 2009, television stations will begin broadcasting only in digital. This means that all TVs receiving a signal from traditional analog tuners will be obsolete (most TV’s made after 2004 are digital). To prepare for this transition, the DCYEA encourages you to do one of the following:
Best Options
Converter Box Rather than adding to the tremendous wave of toxic electronic waste that the DTV transition is causing, you can buy a digital converter box (sold at any store with electronics) to extend the life of your current TV. If you purchase a converter box, ask for Energy Star models. To reduce the cost of these converter boxes, apply for a coupon to reduce the cost by $40 per box: https://www.dtv2009.gov
Cable/Satellite Subscribing to a cable or satellite television service is another way to extend the life of your television. The DTV transition will not affect current cable/satellite TV users.
Second-Best Option
New TV According to the Environmental Protection Agency, TV’s and associated technologies account for 10% of the average home’s electricity bill. If you buy a new TV, make sure it is an Energy Star-qualified TV.
TV Recycling Recycle your old TVs! Here are 2 sites that DC-residents can safely recycle their old television sets for FREE:
Benning Road Trash Transfer Station
Saturdays 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fort Totten Trash Transfer Station
Saturdays 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
For additional information on where to recycle anything, go to www.earth911.org
For additional information on the DTV Transition, go to www.dtv.gov
The correct date is Feb 17, not Feb 27. Please see the Government DTV site:
http://www.dtv.gov/
By: Cindy King on January 25, 2009
at 6:11 am