Do you know what the Energy Star labels mean?
Since its inauguration in 1992, consumers have been seeing Energy Star labels on appliances in all retail stores, including those used to heat and cool our homes. But do you really know what those numbers mean? If you are considering replacing your homes boiler or air conditioning unit, ask your HVAC technician if an energy star approved model is your best option.
The Energy Star Program
The Energy Star program is a not for profit organization that promotes energy savings to consumers. Their goal is not only to help homeowners save money, but also to protect the environment. Ratings are shown in kWhs used per year. The lower that number is the more energy efficient the appliance. The label attached to an air conditioner is only describing its energy efficiency. It may not be the best model, but it will save you the most money in energy costs.
In order for an appliance such as a central air conditioning unit to even be allowed to carry the Energy Star label, it must first meet some very strict criteria. It must serve its purpose, while still being energy efficient. Consumers expect an air conditioner to cool off their home, no matter how energy efficient it is. A unit will not be awarded a star if it cannot do that. If the air conditioner is energy efficient, but considerably higher priced than a less efficient counterpart, a consumer has to be able to recoup the cost in utility bill savings within a reasonable amount of time. So if the model you choose is Energy Star approved, but $200 more than a similar, less efficient model, you can expect to recover that $200 in a decreased electric bill over a short period of time.
If you have an older central air conditioning unit in your home and are considering a new one, go to the Energy Star website and take their quick home energy efficiency test. If the results are poor, then replacing your old unit may be a good long term investment for your home. Air conditioning units do not have a long life expectancy, and will begin to put a lot of strain on your energy bill as they get older.
HVAC Appliances In The Energy Star Program
Air conditioners are not the only HVAC appliance in your home that can receive an Energy Star rating. Gas furnaces that receive an Energy Star label can be up to 16% more energy efficient than other models and save a homeowner around $90 each year in energy costs.
Air source heat pumps, which run off of electricity, are almost 10% more efficient if they have an Energy Star label, then new models that don’t. Energy Star makes strong recommendations for geothermal heat pumps in American homes. So much so that they offer a 30% tax rebate to homeowners who install them. These are 45% more energy efficient than air source pumps and will show a substantial savings in your energy costs.
St Louis HVAC Company
Energy conscious homeowners should take advantage of the free rating service offered by Energy Star when considering replacing their homes HVAC appliances. While initial investment may seem costly, the savings you will see over time will more than make up for it. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 to find the best HVAC appliances.
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