What Does Energy Star® Compliant Mean?

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Everyone hears or sees the term, Energy Star® Compliant. What exactly does being Energy Star Compliant mean?   Energy Star ® is a program developed in 1992 by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to identify and promote products that are Energy Efficient. Products carrying this symbol provide a way for businesses and consumers to save money, while at the same time, protect our environment.  There have also been many major advances in technologies, leading to such energy savers as LCD lighting and ‘stand-by’ product features. Research and development is still on-going, as manufacturers strive to deliver low cost energy products.

Energy guide ratings for appliances will show their typical usage in kWhs per year – the lower the energy number, the more cost efficient it is to run.  Appliances carrying the Energy Star ® rating typically are 10 to 20% more energy efficient than non-rated models. This means, you’ll not only save money, but help your environment as well.

We at Brown Heating, Cooling and Plumbing carry the complete line of Comfortmaker heating and cooling products. Look for the Energy Star symbol on Comfortmaker units that rate in the high numbers of efficiency. Comfortmaker is manufactured by International Comfort Products, LLC Corporation (USA), a voluntary partner in this government program.

The Energy Star Program recommends the following in regards to your heating and cooling system:

1. Change your air filter regularly: 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. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.
2. Tune up your HVAV equipment on a regular basis: Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Learn more:
3. Install a programmable thermostat:       A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
4. Seal your heating and cooling ducts: Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing your heating and cooling ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more. Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.
5. Consider installing qualified Energy Star compliant heating and cooling equipment:           If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing your heating and cooling equipment with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.
6. Ask about proper installation of your heating and cooling equipment: Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent — costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment’s life.

For more information about the Energy Star program, or for any of your heating and cooling needs, contact Brown Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, your source for all your HVAC needs since 1967. You can reach us at (941) 722 9276, or you can schedule an appointment with us here.