Most Americans – around 85 percent – recognize the bright blue Energy Star label. It is a symbol of energy efficiency and says that the appliance on which it appears complies with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.
For more than two decades, the EnergyStar program has been helping consumers more easily identify energy-saving products which not only save money on utility bills but also help protect the environment.
Manufacturers understand that there is a real economic advantage to being able to display the EnergyStar label on their products, so they have responded with the continual development of new and innovative technologies which have improved the quality of a broad range of products over time. Keep reading to find out why an EnergyStar rating is so important.
The Energy Star Program: How it Works
While efficiency specifications for Energy Star vary according to product category, all are established through comparing the efficiency of products to the minimum requirements for efficiency set by the United States Government.
If a manufacturer wants one of its room air conditioners to qualify, for example, it must be a minimum of 10 percent more efficient than other standard models. Recently, the EPA also began implementing third-party partnerships for certification in an effort to improve testing reliability for products which qualify for Energy Star.
The Success of the EnergyStar Program
Over the past 20 years, businesses and residences have successfully prevented the release of close to 2 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere simply by replacing older products with those with an EnergyStar rating. The EPA estimates that homes across the USA have also saved an estimated $230 billion on utility bills since the beginning of the program.
Energy Star and Your HVAC System
The EnergyStar label is particularly important when selecting a heating or cooling system for your home. There are so many different industry ratings assigned to HVAC equipment it can be impossible to make an educated choice without the aid of that blue EnergyStar label. That label ensures that the system you buy will operate better than conventional systems – sometimes as much as 45 percent better.
Further Tips for Conserving Energy
Proper installation is as important a part of energy efficiency as the capability of the equipment. A good install will always save you money on your energy bills and decrease your energy consumption. The size of an HVAC system needs to be correct if it is going to efficiently meet your heating and cooling needs and a licensed contractor can give you accurate advice on what to buy. Oversized systems will expend energy needlessly and undersized systems will work harder than they should, using more energy and breaking down more quickly.
A good HVAC Contractor can show you how to reduce load on your cooling system and allow you to save money buying a smaller system while maintaining optimal levels of comfort and efficiency. They can calculate what would be the perfect sized system for your space and ensure that your EnergyStar product operates at maximum efficiency for years to come.
