How do you
purchase an Energy Star furnace?
Purchasing energy-efficient products is easy -
simply ask for Energy Star models when working
with a contractor to select a new furnace. Most of
the major furnace manufacturers have decided to
participate in the program.
How much money can my Energy Star furnace
save?
Over 10 years an Energy Star furnace could save:
- $1,700 relative to an old furnace
- $920 relative to a new standard furnace.
*Savings based on $732 average annual heating bill
from a 1993 American Gas Association survey for
the Middle Atlantic region. Estimates for old
furnace AFUE = 66%; standard furnace = 78%; and
Energy Star = 92%. Actual savings for individual
homeowners will vary based on geographical area of
the country, local gas rates and the age and size
of the home.
For more information about Energy Star
furnaces, please contact: Peter Banwell, Manager,
Energy Star Furnaces, U.S. EPA (6202J), 401 M
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Phone: (202)
233-9408. Fax: (202) 233-9578.
About half of all energy used by households
goes to heating and cooling the home. Over 7% of
all homes are heated and cooled with heat pumps
and 24% of new homes are built with them.
- Seventy-seven percent of new homes are now
built with central air conditioning, up from
43 % in 1972
- Over 40% of all existing homes now have
central air conditioning
- In 1994, over 1 million air-source heat
pumps and almost 4 million central air
conditioners were shipped from manufacturers,
the most ever.
By increasing the efficiency of new heat pump
and air conditioning units being installed, we can
dramatically reduce the nation's energy
consumption and resultant pollution. This will
also help utilities offset their peak loads and
avoid having to construct costly new power plants.
More efficient equipment has the added benefit of
helping consumers save money on their energy
bills.
What is Energy Star doing about it?
Energy Star has formed a new program with air
conditioner and heat pump manufacturers. The
Energy Star heat pump and air-conditioner program
is a voluntary partnership between manufacturers
and Energy Star to stimulate the market for
high-efficiency products. The Energy StarSM
logo is a symbol that consumers can look for to
identify heat pumps and air conditioners that save
energy and prevent pollution. Energy Star air
conditioners are 20 percent more efficient than
ones currently meeting the federal government
standards. Energy Star air-source heat pumps and
central air conditioners could save consumers over
$350 million per year by the year 2000 in heating
and air conditioning bills. Consumers will easily
recognize the new, more efficient products because
they will be identified by the Energy Star logo
shown above.
Purchasing Energy Star heat pumps and Air
Conditioners
Utilities all over North America are promoting
high-efficiency heat pumps and air conditioners
because they help reduce peak demand and provide
higher customer satisfaction. Energy Star heat
pumps and air conditioners also produce a variety
of other benefits:
- Energy bills are dramatically reduced
- All units come with a manufacturer's
warranty
- Pollution is reduced through the use of
high-efficiency products.
In addition to asking for Energy Star when
purchasing heat pumps and air conditioners,
consumers should consider the following:
- Make sure the unit is properly sized and
installed to ensure maximum comfort and
efficiency.
- Contractors should be well trained in the
proper installation of air-source heat pumps
and central air conditioners.
- The duct work should be installed properly,
since an improperly installed system can
dramatically reduce efficiency.
How Much Money Can My Energy Star Unit Save?
Energy Star heat pumps and air conditioners can
save users a great deal of money by reducing
electricity bills. Look for the Energy Star logo
when purchasing these products, to be sure of
lowering you energy bill.
For more information about Energy Star
air-source heat pumps and central air
conditioners, please contact:
For more information about Energy Star heat
pumps and central air conditioners, please
contact: Peter Banwell, Manager, Energy Star
Furnaces, U.S. EPA (6202J), 401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20460. Phone: (202) 233-9408.
Fax: (202) 233-9578.
This information courtesy of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency.
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