By John DeFore
Economic turmoil has convinced many Americans to put off large discretionary purchases, but those intent 
on upgrading the home theater this holiday season (or those finally replacing ancient TVs before next year’s digital switchover) should consider changes made in the marketplace this weekend.
On November 1, new standards by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program took effect. “Turning the channel on energy guzzling sets,” to use the colorful imagery of EPA’s Stephen L. Johnson, the new specs apply to models that are up to 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional TVs.
