ENERGY STAR® Program

What is the ENERGY STAR® program?

The ENERGY STAR Program is a government-backed labeling program that helps people and organizations save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by identifying commercial and residential items that have superior energy efficiency. For a residence this could include your appliances, lighting and windows, and most definitely your heating and cooling system. Homes and products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

Why It Matters

According to  the ENERGY STAR website, half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. This is why it is so important to make the best decision about the heating and cooling systems you use in your home. Having an inefficient system will increase your utility bill, affect your comfort in your home, and could eventually be harmful to you and your family.
Half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling
-ENERGY STAR Program website

 

Helpful Tips

Here are a few suggestions the ENERGY STAR program offers to cut down costs and increase efficiency:

 

Change your air filter regularly

Change your filter at least every 3 months. The basic rule of thumb is if the filter looks dirty, change it. A dirty filter can waste energy by disrupting airflow. A clean filter can keep your system running smoothly by keeping dust and dirt out of your system.

Have your HVAC system tuned up yearly

Think about all the regular maintenance your life requires to run efficiently and comfortably. Oil changes improve vehicle mileage, computer tune ups keep you from wasting your time with a sluggish device, cleaning your floors just keeps the house looking nice, cleaning out the fridge prevents odors you don’t want, annual doctor check-ups keeps you healthy, and the list goes on and on. Why wouldn’t a regular tune-up of your HVAC system make sense? It keeps your system running smoothly and keeps your comfortable year-round.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is great for those who are regularly gone from their home at set periods throughout the week. If used correctly, it is estimated that it can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Install an ENERGY STAR Program qualified heating and cooling equipment

The program recommends having your HVAC equipment inspected by a professional HVAC contractor if it is more than 10 years old. They can let you know how efficient your current system is functioning. They can also help you decide if installing qualified equipment will help you cut down on utility costs.