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ENERGY STAR
QUALIFIED HEATING AND COOLING
EQUIPMENT
Heating and cooling equipment that has earned the
government's ENERGY STAR, combined with properly
sealed ducts, saves energy, money, and the environment
and may also improve the comfort level in your home.
HELP FIGHT
GLOBAL WARMING
Electricity used in our homes predominantly comes
from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which
contributes to global warming. Simply put, using
energy-efficient products and practices in our homes
helps fight global warming by reducing these greenhouse
gas emissions.
If just one household in 10 bought ENERGY STAR qualified
heating and cooling equipment, we could prevent 14 billion
pounds of greenhouse gas emissions—equal to those from
nearly 1.2 million cars—every year.
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ENERGYSTAR
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Energy
Heating
and Cooling
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WHAT IS ENERGY STAR®?
ENERGY STAR is a label that identifies energy-
efficient products, such as heating and cooling
equipment, which meet strict energy efficiency
guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE).
Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR help
you save energy and money without sacrificing
performance. By using less energy, these products
also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions-
caused by the burning of fossil fuels at power
plants—that contribute to global warming.
More than 50 types of products, including heating
and cooling equipment, lighting, office equipment,
appliances, and home electronics can qualify for
the ENERGY STAR.
The ENERGY STAR program helps businesses
and individuals fight global warming through
energy-efficient products and practices.
Learn more atwww.energystar.gov.
CHOOSE ENERGY STAR
QUALIFIED HEATING AND COOLING
EQUIPMENT
Heating and cooling can account for nearly half of the energy
used in your home. While some ENERGY STAR qualified heating
and cooling products may cost more initially, they can yield
annual returns of 15-30 percent in lower energy bills.
AIR CONDITIONERS
Compared to conventional models, ENERGY STAR qualified
central air conditioners and room air conditioners reduce energy
waste by about 15 and 10 percent, respectively. Replacing an old
central air conditioner with one that has earned the ENERGY
STAR can save nearly $200 per year in electricity depending on
climate and the size of the unit you're replacing.
BOILERS
A properly sized and installed ENERGY STAR qualified boiler uses
about 6 percent less energy than a standard new boiler—saving
over $75 per year in energy costs.
PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS
Programmable thermostats that have earned the ENERGY STAR
provide you with more flexibility than standard models and
contain no mercury. Properly using a programmable thermostat
to consistently control your home's temperature can save you
about $180 every year in energy costs.
AIR-SOURCE/GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
Electric air-source heat pumps use the difference between
indoor and outdoor air temperatures to heat and cool your home.
Geothermal heat pumps use stable ground temperatures to provide
heating and air conditioning. ENERGY STAR qualified models are
up to 30 percent more energy efficient than standard equipment.
FURNACES
Due to advanced technology, ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces
are over 10 percent more energy efficient than standard new
furnaces available today.
CEILING FANS
ENERGY STAR qualified ceiling fans move air over 45 percent
more efficiently than conventional fans. This means you'll use
less energy to get the same amount of cooling.
VENTILATION FANS
ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans perform better and are
typically less noisy than conventional models because they use
high-performance motors and a better overall design. Qualified
fans consume 70 percent less energy than conventional models.
CHANGE THE WORLD
START WITH ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT
HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM CHECKLIST
When it's time to install a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) system, make an educated decision with the help of these
simple suggestions:
Find the Right Contractor—The performance of your new system
depends on how well it is installed. Getting the right contractor is key
to getting a quality installation. Look for contractors with several years
of experience that are licensed and insured (if required). Askfor a
written contract of all work and whether a contractor's service
technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence
(NATE). NATE is an industry-supported certification for technicians
who install and service heating and cooling equipment. Visit
www.natex.org to use NATE's contractor locator.
Look for the ENERGY STAR—When deciding on an ENERGY STAR
qualified system, ask the contractor to estimate your utility bill savings
and costs. Although ENERGY STAR qualified equipment may cost more
initially, you will be rewarded with savings over its lifetime.
Properly Size and Install Your System—When replacing heating and
cooling equipment, bigger isn't always better. Oversized equipment
will cost more up front and to operate over its lifetime. Additionally,
it will not dehumidify or provide a comfortable environment as it
should. Don't assume your current system is the right size. Ask your
contractor to calculate the "size" of the system using ManualJ, or an
equivalent calculation tool. Today's equipment is more efficient, and
To locate a store near you that carries ENERGY STAR qualified heating and
cooling equipment, use our store locator atwww.energystar.gov. Just
select "products," click on "heating and cooling equipment," choose the
item you are interested in purchasing, and click on "Find a Store."
your original system may have been sized improperly. As part of a
proper installation, a certified technician should:
• Install equipment in easily accessible areas for easy
maintenance.
•Test for adequate airflow and verify that the system has been
charged with the correct refrigerant level in accordance with
the manufacturer's guidelines.
• Conduct a combustion safety test after ducts are sealed to
be sure all gas or oil-burning appliances are working properly.
• Replace indoor and outdoor coils for maximum efficiency.
Seal and Insulate—Central air conditioners, heat pumps, and
furnaces rely on a system of ducts to circulate air throughout your
home. It is common to find gaps between duct joints in a home,
whether new or old. Ask your contractor to seal and insulate ducts
in unconditioned spaces such as an attic or crawlspace. Sealing
and insulating your home with ENERGY STAR can improve a
heating and cooling system's efficiency by about 20 percent. For
more information visit www.energystar.gov/homesealing.
Maintain Your System—Schedule your contractor to do annual
check-ups of your heating and cooling system to help prevent
future problems and unwanted costs. Also check your filter every
month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If
the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change
the filter every 3 months.
ENERGY STAR
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