You have surely seen the Energy Star logo on appliance stickers. It's a familiar logo now, but if you asked what it means the common answer is, "The unit will use less energy." But this appliance rating really applies to much more than just the amount of energy produced.
The Energy Star rating was created through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of energy. The goals of the program include:
>> Designing products that use energy efficiently
>> Lowering the cost of consumer utility bills
>> Improving the comfort of homes through more efficient heating and cooling units
>> Protecting the environment by lowering green house emissions
That's a lot of end goals represented by a little label. Heating and cooling systems that earn this rating will be cheaper to operate and kinder to the environment. Did you know that statistics show that approximately half of all the energy used in a house is the result of running a furnace or air conditioner?When you heat and cool more efficiently you are actually lowering a major household expense.
Proper Installation is Half the Energy Battle
Of course, when you buy an HVAC system or home heating and air conditioning unit,you will need to make sure it is properly installed. The Energy Star folks not only developed an energy rating. They also created the Quality Installation guidelines. You need a professional installer who is familiar with and can follow the Quality Installation guidelines to insure your unit works as intended.
But even those who have an older system can benefit. The professional heating and air conditioning technician can often apply many of the Energy Star maintenance and performance improving techniques to older systems too. Your home will feel more comfortable because your unit is working more efficiently. This is true for HVAC systems installed in businesses too.
Not Comfortable?
The government guidelines recommend that systems older than 10 years old should be replaced if possible with an Energy Star unit. One way to tell if you need a new system is when you notice your house is no longer comfortable whether it's summer or winter. Inadequate air flow, air not properly cooled or heated,and humid air are all signs of a system needing repairs or replacement.
By the way,just installing a new heating, air conditioning or HVAC unit is not the end all. You want to make sure your system operates efficiently and also have your contractor:
>> Install a programmable thermostat
>> Seal all ductwork leaks including around grills or registers
>> Insulate ducts with R-6 insulation or higher in areas that are not heated or cooled
>> Periodically diagnose the operating efficiency of your unit
>> Have combustion safety tests performed after duct sealing
>> Close off air leaks in the house to get improve unit performance
The Energy Star rating has a big message behind a small label. Whether you replace your heating and cooling system now or in the future, it's important to do everything you can to make sure your system is operating as efficiently as possible.
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