You can help help the environment by purchasing energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment. Using the federal Energy Star program as a guide, you can buy many household items that decrease pollution, save you money and conserve energy resources.
What Is Energy Star?
The program sets high specifications for a wide array of energy-consuming devices. Energy Star-certified products have passed independent testing to verify that they are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than similar types of merchandise. Using the Energy Star label to guide your purchases of everything from lightbulbs to furnaces is a bright idea.
Bright Ideas
The federal program can help you find CFL and LED lightbulbs, televisions and other items that lower your energy bills and save natural resources. Some efficient lightbulbs can last decades.
Insulation and Windows
Replace your old single-pane windows with Energy Star-labeled double- or triple-pane windows to prevent heat loss in the winter and heat infiltration in the summer. Let the label also direct you to high R-value, efficient insulation for your attic, basement and ductwork.
HVAC
Lightbulbs and televisions may save a bit on your electric bill, but in Minnesota most of your energy dollar goes to heating your Twin Cities area home. Find a furnace, boiler or heat pump that meets Energy Star standards and take a real bite out of your energy bill. Your old furnace may only achieve 65 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE); new models with the Energy Star designation achieve 95-98 percent AFUE when purchased in the northern half of the U.S.
Consider a geothermal or air-source heat pump. Those with high Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) use energy more efficiently for heating than low-HSPF models.
Keep your cool and keep more of your cash with Energy Star-certified central air conditioners, window models, split systems and even ceiling fans. For air conditioners, check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) to determine seasonal costs and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for days when outside temperatures are 95 degrees or higher.
For more help finding Energy Star-certified products for your Twin Cities-area home, please contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Energy Star and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock