HELP
Climate change is a real and urgent challenge
affecting people and the environment worldwide.
Human activities such as electricity production
and transportation add significant amounts
of carbon pollution to the atmosphere. This
carbon pollution, along with other greenhouse
gases, is the primary cause of most of the global
temperature rise observed over the past 50 years.
Global warming has already led to rising sea
levels, melting glaciers, and shifting rainfall
patterns, among other changes. Unchecked
carbon pollution can lead to long-lasting changes
in our climate that threaten human health,
society, and ecosystems. To learn more about
climate change and what you can do to reduce
its impacts, visit epa.gov/climatechange.
DO YOUR PART
Choosing energy-efficient products and
practicing simple energy saving measures
reduces the amount of carbon pollution added
to the atmosphere. EPA's ENERGY STAR program
offers tips and product information to help you
do your part in protecting your family and your
community from the effects of climate change
now and in the future.
If just one household in 10 bought heating and
cooling equipment that had earned the ENERGY
STAR, we would prevent 13 billion pounds of
greenhouse gas emissions—equal to emissions
from 1.2 million cars—every year.
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Helping you save money and protect the climate
through energy-efficient products and practices.
ENERGYSTAR
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WHAT IS ENERGY STAR?
ENERGY STAR is a widely recognized and
trusted label on products that meet strict
energy-efficiency requirements set by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ENERGY STAR certified products are third-party
certified and subject to ongoing verification
testing.
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 that contribute to climate
change.
Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found
on more than 65 different kinds of products
found in our homes and workplaces including
lighting, appliances, office equipment,
consumer electronics, and heating and cooling
equipment. Energy-efficient new and renovated
homes, as well as schools, government
buildings, and commercial and industrial
buildings also can earn the ENERGY STAR.
Learn more at energystar.gov
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR
CERTIFIED HEATING AND COOLING
EQUIPMENT
Heating and cooling can account for nearly half of the energy used
in your home. While ENERGY STAR certified heating and cooling
products may cost more than standard products, they can yield
annual energy bill savings of 10 to 30 percent.
AIR CONDITIONERS
Compared to standard models, ENERGY STAR certified room air
conditioners use about 10 percent less energy on average, saving
about $50 in energy costs over its lifetime.
ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioners have higher
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio
(EER) ratings, making them more than 15 percent more efficient
than standard models.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT PUMPS
Geothermal heat pumps use stable dround temperatures to provide
AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
Electric air-source heat pumps move heat betv
outside to keep your home a comfortable term
nside and
i standard models.
DUCTLESS HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY STAR certified ductless heating and nnnlinn svstpms
highly efficient products that deliver warrnui uuui an uncuuy
different zones in your home, instead of routing it through due
first. They are an increasingly popular, cost-effective solution
to replace inefficient baseboard electric heating and window
air conditioners in older homes. Replacing your system with a
costs by 30 percent.
BOILERS AND FURNACES
A properly sized and installed ENERGY STAR certified boiler i
about 5 percent less energy than a standard new boiler. ENEI
STAR certified furnaces have higher Annual Fuel Utilization
Efficiency (AFUE) ratings and higher efficiency blower motors
making certified gas furnaces, on average, over 10 percent m
efficient than standard models.
TIPS FOR ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED HEATING AND COOLING
PRODUCTS AND INSTALLATION
Your comfort and the performance of your new heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system depends on how
well it is installed. Make informed decisions and increase the
efficiency of your heating and cooling system with the help of
these simple suggestions:
Find the Right Contractor- Look for a contractor with several
years of experience, who is licensed and insured (if required)
to perform HVAC installation and repair work. Ask for a written
contract of all work. The contractor should provide his/her
certification for refrigerant handling. Expect the contractor to
spend significant time inspecting your current system and home
to assess your needs. Both you and the contractor should sign a
written proposal before the work begins.
Install a Programmable Thermostat-A programmable
thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four
pre-programmed settings to regulate your home's temperature
in both summer and winter—when you are home, asleep, or
away. The pre-programmed settings are intended to deliver
savings without sacrificing comfort. Through proper use of a
programmable thermostat (using the four pre-programmed
settings) you can save about $180* every year in energy costs.
Save more energy and money by adjusting your thermostat when
using your ceiling fan to let the fan take over some of the heating
and cooling duties.
Seal and Insulate - Ducts circulate air from the furnace, central
air conditioner, or heat pump throughout the house. Often
ducts have damage or poor connections that leakthe hot or
cold air and waste a lot of energy. Ask your contractor to seal
and insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces such as an attic
or crawlspace. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the
efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20
percent.
COMMON TERMS YOU MIGHT HEAR
AFUE-The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is the percentage of the heat in the fuel your furnace or boiler uses that actually
heats your home.
EER-The energy efficiency ratio (EER) is how efficiently your unit cools your home when its 95° F outside, or for geothermal, at anytime.
SEER-The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is how efficiently your unit cools your home at a variety of outside temperatures.
HSPF-The heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) is how efficiently your heat pump heats your home at a variety of outdoor
temperatures.
*The $180 savings assumes a typical, single-family home with a 10 hour daytime setback of 8" F in winter and setup of 7" Fin summer, and an 8 hour
nighttime setback of 8" Fin winter and a setup of 4° Fin summer.
Properly Size and Install Your System- Bigger is not always
better. A system actually operates best when each component is
properly sized. Oversized equipment may cycle on and off more
frequently, making the home less comfortable and shortening the
life of the equipment. Ask your contractor to take measurements
of your home and calculate the appropriate size for your
air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump. As part of a proper
installation, a certified technician should:
• Install equipment in 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.
Use Your Ceiling Fan-You can reverse the motor and airflow
direction of ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans to operate the
fan year-round. In the summer, use the ceiling fan to produce
downward airflow, creating a wind-chill effect that cools the
occupants of the room. In the winter, reverse the motor and
operate the ceiling fan at low speed to produce a gentle updraft
that forces warm air nearthe ceiling down into the occupied
space.
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. Checkyour 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.
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