Guide to Energy Efficiency 6 - Choosing the Right Equipment

Intro - Maintaining Equipment - Home Sealing - Sealing Your Ducts - Heating and Cooling Contractor - Choosing Equipment - Proper Equipment - Protect Environment

When purchasing heating or cooling equipment, remember that high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR. Whether you're searching for a new heat pump, furnace, or other heating and cooling equipment, ENERGY STAR has set energy efficiency specifications to help you save on energy bills and improve the comfort level in your home.

Furnaces
Furnaces are the most commonly used residential heating system in the United States, running most often on gas, but sometimes on fuel oil or electricity, and deliver their heat through a duct system. One in four furnaces in U.S. homes today is more than 20 years old. ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces use advanced technology to deliver higher efficiency than standard new furnaces available today.

Boilers
A boiler heats your home by burning gas or fuel oil to heat water or steam that circulates through radiators, baseboards, or radiant floor systems. Boilers do not use a duct system. Boilers that have earned the ENERGY STAR have higher AFUE ratings. AFUE, the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of heating equipment efficiency.
How much energy you save will vary based on your use and climate, with colder regions likely saving more. Features that improve boiler efficiency include electronic ignition, which eliminates the need to have the pilot light burning all the time, and technologies that extract more heat from the same amount of fuel.

Central Air Conditioners
ENERGY STAR qualifed central air conditioners have a higher SEER than today's standard models. SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures energy efficiency. The higher the SEER, the greater the level of efficiency. Since sizing and proper installation of a central air conditioning system are critical to energy efficiency and home comfort, it is important to hire a qualified technician.

Heat Pumps
Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs): ASHPs, often used in moderate climates, use the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home. For example, they work in cold weather because the air is warmer than the refrigerant in the system and causes it to boil into a gas. This gas is then compressed which drives the temperature up to 120 degrees or more. This hot gas transfers heat to your home. High efficiency ASHPs use less energy than conventional models. They also come with higher HSPF ratings. HSPF, the Heating and Seasonal Performance Factor, measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps.
Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs): By using stable temperature conditions in the ground, GHPs cool and heat your home. In addition to providing much lower energy bills, high efficiency GHPs are quieter and include water-heating capabilities. Although initially expensive, they quickly pay back the homeowner with significant cost savings. GHPs are most often installed in new homes and require a duct system.

Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat is recommended for individuals and families who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week, allowing them to use less energy without sacrificing comfort. Programmable thermostats that have earned the ENERGY STAR offer the most energy-saving potential for your home and, unlike older manual thermostats, contain no mercury. Through proper use of your ENERGY STAR qualified thermostat, you can save about $100 every year in energy costs.

In order to increase your energy savings, it's important that you:

Keep the thermostat set at energy-saving tempertures for long periods of times, such as during the day when no one is home and through the night. ENERGY STAR qualified thermostats come with four pre-programmed temperture settings for typical weekday and weekend routines.
Resist the urge to override the pre-programmed settings. Every time you do, you use more energy and may end up paying more on your energy bill.
Set the "hold" button at a constant energy-saving temperture when going away for the weekend or on vacation.
Install you thermostat aways from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting, doorways, skylights, and windows, and areas that receive direct sunlight or drafts. Interior walls are best.

If you have a heat pump, you may require a special programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings year-round. Talk to you retailer or contractor for the details before selecting your thermostat.