When you’re buying a furnace for your Twin Cities area home, the EnergyGuide label can help you make the best decision. This label indicates the energy efficiency that can be expected from the heating equipment. To make your decision-making process easier, the FTC will soon make changes to the EnergyGuide label that will make it more informative and useful.
In its current form, the EnergyGuide label lists a description of the appliance and the key features that are being used to compare with other appliances. For most appliances, it also shows an estimated yearly cost and energy use. EnergyGuide labels on heating and cooling appliances also show how the most and least efficient models of that type of appliance compare to the appliance you’re looking at. If the appliance qualifies for the Energy Star logo, that will be shown on the EnergyGuide label.
The changes to EnergyGuide labels are specifically focused on labels found on heating and cooling equipment. Here are the main changes you will see:
- The label will become more regionalized. Since different areas of the country have different heating and cooling requirements, it will show consumers information that applies specifically to their area. A map will show where in the country the appliance can be legally installed.
- Simplified efficiency information. The label will show a sliding scale that indicates the highest and lowest efficiencies found for that type of appliance as well as where the specific appliance falls on that scale.
- More information. The label will provide a link to an online calculator that calculates energy costs.
While EnergyGuide labels are now required on the actual product, the FTC has proposed that the label also be shown on the manufacturer’s website and the product packaging. The changes will take place in May 2013 for non-weatherized oil and gas furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces. They won’t go into effect until January 2015 for air conditioners, weatherized gas furnaces and heat pumps.
For more information about using EnergyGuide labels or any other HVAC matters, please contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve proudly served the Twin Cities Metro area since 1974.
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 EnergyGuide label and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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