I
heating   and   cooling
             systems
US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy
           EPA 430-F-01-032 October 2001

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                                WHAT   IS  EN
ENERGY STAR is a label that identifies energy-efficient
products, such as heating and cooling equipment, which
meet guidelines  set by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE).

ENERGY  STAR labeled  products  save energy  and
money without sacrificing performance—one solution to
energy supply and cost concerns. ENERGY STAR also
  ENERGY  STAR  LABELED  HEAT
ENERGY STAR labeled heating and cooling equipment
can save 10-40 percent on heating and cooling bills and
may also improve the comfort level in your home.

AIR CONDITIONERS
Compared to conventional models, ENERGY STAR
labeled central air conditioners and room air conditioners
reduce energy waste by at least 20 and
10 percent, respectively. Replacing an old
central air conditioner with a new ENERGY
STAR labeled model saves about $50 per
year in electricity depending on climate and
the size of  the unit you're replacing.
BOILERS
An  ENERGY STAR  labeled boiler  with
technologies such as electric ignition and
sealed combustion can save about 10 percent on heating bills.

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS
Automatically adjust your home's temperature setting to
help save energy when you're asleep or not at home.
Within a few years, programmable thermostats will pay
for  themselves  in  energy saved by  maintaining the
highest or lowest required temperatures for four to five
hours each day. rather than a full 24 hours.
To locate a store near you that carries ENERGY STAR
labeled heating and cooling equipment, use our store locator
at www.energystar.gov/consumer.You can even calculate
your savings by using the simple savings calculator. Just
select "find products," click on "heating and cooling." and
choose the item you are interested in.

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ERGY  STAR9?
      helps protect the environment by reducing air pollution
      and global warming associated with energy production.

      In addition to heating and cooling, more than 30 product
      categories, including lighting, appliances, home office
      equipment, and consumer electronics, feature the ENERGY
      STAR label.
ING  AND   COOLING  EQUIPMENT
      AIR-SOURCE/GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
      Electric air-source heat pumps use the difference between
      indoor and outdoor air temperatures to heat and cool
      inside air, Geotherrnal  heat pumps use the ground instead
      of outside air to provide heating, air conditioning, and hot
      water. ENERGY STAR labeled models use 15-30 percent
      less energy than standard equipment.
                    FURNACES
                    Older furnaces cost more to operate per
                    year than new ENERGY STAR labeled
                    models, which  are  about 20  percent
                    more efficient.
                    CEILING FANS
                    ENERGY  STAR  labeled  ceiling  fans
                   operate 40 percent more efficiently than
      conventional  fans—resulting in  180 kWh or S15 per
      year in electric bill  savings.

      VENTILATING FANS
      ENERGY STAR labeled ventilating fans perform better, last
      longer, and are typically  less noisy than  conventional
      models because they use high-performance motors and
      better components. Qualified fans consume on average
      more than 65 percent less energy than conventional models.
      For more information.
     visit www.energystar.gov.
     or call 1-888-STAR-YES
        (1-888-782-7937).
                                   Money Isn't All You're Saving

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                                                    VE  M
Heating and cooling can account for nearly half the energy use in your home. Since these systems
generally last 10 years or more, it  could be one of the biggest  home investments you make. While
some ENERGY STAR labeled heating and cooling products may cost more initially, they can yield
annual returns of 10-40 percent in lower heating and cooling bills. Investing in energy-efficient systems
can also add value to your home. Prospective buyers pay attention to utility bills, and many are willing
to pay more for a home that costs less to heat and cool.
              HELP  PROTECT  THE  ENVIRONMENT
Residential heating and cooling systems often burn fossil fuels that contribute to a host of air pollution
problems, including smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our
homes, the less air pollution we generate. If just one household in ten bought ENERGY STAR heating
and cooling equipment, the change would keep more than 17 billion pounds of pollution out of our air
this year. Buying energy-efficient  heating and cooling equipment  is an easy way to make a difference.

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CHANGE  TO  ENERGY  STAR  LABELED
            HEATING  AND COOLING
                           To maximize the energy efficiency of your system,
                           follow these suggestions:

                           Beware  of Oversizing—When replacing  an
                           existing unit, don't assume your new unit should
                           be  the  same size—or  based solely  on your
                           home's square footage. Today's equipment is
                           more efficient, and your original system may
                           have been sized improperly. If your current unit
                           doesn't heat or cool adequately, it may be a system
                           or installation problem.
                            Ensure Proper Airflow and Refrigerant Charge—
                            Contractors should test for  adequate airflow at
                            the indoor cot! and verify that the  system has
                            been charged in accordance with manufacturer's
                            guidelines. Complete duct leakage repairs before
                            conducting tests.

                            Size,  Seal, and  Insulate  Ducts—This  can
                            increase your system's efficiency by as much as
                            20 percent. A properly installed duct system will
                            be quieter, more comfortable, and save up to
                            $140 annually. Sealing  ducts helps heat and
                            cool your house evenly. It also protects against
                            equipment backdraft and  reduces the circulation
                            of pollutants, such as mold,  dust, and household
                            chemical fumes. A contractor can identify leaks
                            and fix them with a quality duct sealant such as
                            mastic, metal-backed tape, or aerosol-based sealing.
                            For information, visit www.energystar.gov/ducts.
                            Install Programmable Thermostats Properly—
                            Thermostats should be placed away from direct
                            sunlight, drafts, doorways, and windows for
                            optimal performance.

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       ENERGY  STAR  HEATING  AND
   COOLING  SYSTEM  CHECKLIST
To make an educated decision when installing an ENERGY STAR labeled
heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system, follow this checklist.
_| Hiring a contractor. Use an experienced, licensed contractor who
   has worker's compensation coverage as well as liability and property
   insurance. Ask for a  NATE-certified technician. To use NATE'S contractor
   locator, visit www.natex.org. The contractor should also be certified to
   handle refrigerant for cooling systems. Good contractors will provide
   written contracts of all work to be done as well as warranties that
   accompany the equipment.
J Purchasing an  ENERGY STAR  labeled  HVAC  system.  Before
   purchasing the system, ask the contractor to  calculate the "size" of the
   system using computer software or industry guidelines. Also, have the
   contractor check the airflow. Proper sizing and airflow will make your
   equipment more efficient and save you money. When deciding on an
   ENERGY STAR labeled system, ask the contractor to estimate your
   utility bill savings and costs. Although ENERGY STAR labeled equipment
   may cost more initially, you will be rewarded with savings over the lifetime
   of the equipment.
J Installing an ENERGY  STAR labeled HVAC system. A certified
   technician should:
   • Install equipment in easily accessible areas for easy maintenance
   • Inspect ducts for air leaks and incomplete connections. Use the ENERGY
     STAR Duct Specification to determine your duct's performance
   • Consider a house pressurization test to protect against combustion
     gases from being pulled into your home
   • Replace indoor and outdoor coils for maximum efficiency

J Maintaining an  ENERGY STAR labeled HVAC system. Routine
   maintenance, such as changing your air filters,  will ensure that you
   continue to receive your energy savings into the future. In addition,
   professional routine  maintenance will help
   save you energy,  as well as lengthen the   "~
   life of your system, protect your equipment's
   warranty, prevent equipment failure, and         /       	/
   keep  your home safe from  unwanted         ~&^*ffi$b~S
   combustion gases.                             Money ism AH Yr...

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