Save Money Using Energy Efficient Appliances
Replacing old
cooling and heating equipment with more efficient, ENERGY STAR
qualified equipment is one way to save energy and money. However, your
home's heating and cooling equipment is part of a larger system.
Heating and cooling your home smartly can include properly maintaining
your existing equipment,
using a programmable thermostat, finding and
sealing air leaks, tightening up your ducts, and more.
When is it time to replace?
Certain telltale signs
indicate it's time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment,
or improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to
call a professional contractor to help you make a change if:
- Your heat pump or air
conditioner is more than 10 years old. Consider replacing with ENERGY
STAR qualified equipment that uses 20 percent less energy than new
standard models.
- Your furnace or boiler is
more than 15 years old. Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR
qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional
furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR
qualified boiler that is 10% more efficient than a new, standard model.
- Your equipment needs
frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. Your cooling or
heating equipment my have become less efficient.
- Some rooms in your home
are too hot or too cold. Improper equipment operation, duct problems or
inadequate insulation could be the cause.
- No one is home for long
periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.
Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat or have a good
contractor install one and instruct you on its use--to start saving
energy and money while they're away or sleeping.
- Your home has humidity
problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky
ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in
the summer.
- Your home has excessive
dust. Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces
and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your
ducts may be a solution.
- Your heating or cooling
system is noisy. You could have an undersized duct system or a problem
with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.
- You're new or existing
cooling and heating equipment is only as good as the system that
delivers air to every room. Central air conditioners, heat pumps and
forced air furnaces rely on a system of ducts to circulate air
throughout your home. To maintain comfort and good indoor air quality,
it is important to have the proper balance between the air being
supplied to each room and the air returning to your cooling and heating
equipment. Leaky ducts can cause an unbalanced system that wastes
energy. Sealing your ducts is one solution that can improve your
system's ability to consistently cool and heat every room in your home.
- Whether you're having new
equipment installed or working to improve the performance of your
existing cooling and heating system, you should have your duct system
checked.
- Most duct improvement repairs require the assistance of a contractor.
A good contractor will:
-
Identify any duct leaks with diagnostic equipment.
- Seal your ducts with
mastic, metal-backed tape, or aerosol sealant. Duct tape should not be
used because it can not withstand high temperatures and will not last.
- Test airflow after ducts are sealed.
- Insulate your ducts where
it counts to keep the air at its desired temperature as it moves
through the system. The contractor should use duct insulation material
rated at R-6 to insulate ducts located in unconditioned spaces such as
an attic or crawlspace.
- Conduct a combustion safety test after ducts are sealed to be sure all gas or oil-burning appliances are working properly
Purchasing Tips
-
Room air conditioners are
eligible in all categories except for models with a reverse (heating)
cycle. Eligible categories include window units (with louvered sides),
through-the-wall units (without louvered sides), casement models, and
casement slider models.
- Note the voltage. The
standard household receptacle has a connection for a 115-volt branch
unit circuit. Large room units rated at 115 volts may require a
dedicated circuit. Room units rated a 230 volts may require a special
circuit.
- Select the unit with the
highest Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for greater savings. The EER is
the cooling capacity in BTUs divided by the watts.
- Look for a unit whose
filter slides out easily for regular cleaning. Clean filters help keep
your unit in good working condition.
- Check the yellow Energy
Guide label. This label helps you determine how much energy it takes to
operate the model, compare the energy use of similar models, and
estimate annual operating costs.
- Consider a unit with
controls. Controls such as a digital readout for the thermostat
setting, and a built-in timer help you adjust your unit to use less
energy.
