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Understanding ENERGY STAR-certified heating & cooling systems

Updated on March 4, 2024

3-minute read

Understanding ENERGY STAR-certified heating & cooling systems

Updated on March 4, 2024

3-minute read

Want to save energy and money on heating and cooling? Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol!

庐-certified products meet strict technical specifications for energy performance - tested and certified. They make it easy for you to find appliances and products that help save money on energy bills.

If you're in the market for a new air conditioner or furnace, check for the ENERGY STAR庐 symbol. Here are some more tips, considerations and benefits of upgrading your air conditioner or furnace.

Cooling

When things heat up this summer, a new high-efficiency ENERGY STAR庐-certified air conditioner will help keep you cool.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing a new air conditioner.

  • The cost of energy to operate your AC over its lifetime is just as important as the purchase price. Here鈥檚 how to figure that out:听
  • You can calculate your AC's operating costs by factoring in how many days of the year you need to cool, the cost of electricity (are you on a ?), the unit's cooling capacity and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Your HVAC contractor can help you with this!
  • The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit, and the better the energy savings.
  • Get at least three quotes from different contractors. Multiple quotes allow you to compare products and pricing and get a good feel for each company.
  • A qualified HVAC contractor will measure your home and provide options to meet your cooling requirements. You don't want to purchase an AC that is too large or too small for your space.

What are the benefits of a new air conditioner?

  • Lower energy use: An ENERGY STAR庐-certified air conditioner can reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and energy bill.
  • Improved home comfort:听Central air conditioning helps keep your home cool and reduces humidity. Who doesn't want a cool house during a heat wave in Alberta?
  • Cleaner air:听A central air conditioning system draws air out of rooms in your house. Then, it pulls the air through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust, dander and lint. High-end filters may remove pollutants and pathogens, as well. Once it鈥檚 filtered, the cleaner air circulates back into your house. A newer system can improve indoor air quality and remove allergens. This is good news for people with asthma or allergies!
  • Quieter operation:听With an AC, the compressor bearing unit is outside the house. That means the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning unit.
Woman on couch under portable air conditioner with remote in hand
Woman on couch under portable air conditioner with remote in hand
Woman on couch under portable air conditioner with remote in hand

Heating

We rely on our furnaces during Alberta's cold winters. An ENERGY STAR庐-certified furnace will give you peace of mind, knowing you'll be warm and comfortable all winter.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing:

  • An ENERGY STAR庐-certified forced-air natural gas furnace uses 4% less energy than non-certified models. Heating your home in the winter makes up for 63% of your home energy use. That means upgrading your furnace will reduce your monthly bill the most.
  • You can figure out the efficiency of a furnace by its AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The minimum efficiency level you should purchase is 90% AFUE. A rating of "90% AFUE" means that for every dollar you spend heating your home, $0.90 goes towards actually heating your home.
  • Some older homes will have 60-80% AFUE furnaces, so upgrading to a 95+% AFUE furnace will give you the best energy savings. The most efficient units have a 98-99% AFUE rating.
  • Get at least three quotes from different contractors. Multiple quotes will allow you to compare products and pricing and get to know each company.
  • Ask your HVAC company to calculate your home's size and heat requirements. You want to ensure your new furnace is sized properly to heat your home most efficiently.

What are the benefits of a new furnace?

  • Lower energy use:听An ENERGY STAR庐-certified furnace can reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and energy bill.
  • Improved home comfort:听A new furnace will ensure your home is warm and cozy and offer comfortable, even heat in every room. Plus, investing in a new furnace can bring peace of mind if you鈥檝e had an older, unreliable furnace.
  • Cleaner air:听Like your cooling system, your furnace draws air out of your house and circulates it through an air filter. The filter removes dirt, dust and airborne allergens. High-end filters may remove pollutants and pathogens, too. The filtered and clean air then blows through the ducts and back into your rooms. A newer furnace can improve indoor air quality and reduce symptoms for people with asthma or allergies.
  • Reduced repair costs:听As furnaces age, they start to have mechanical problems. If you've been constantly repairing an older furnace, upgrading to a new ENERGY STAR庐-certified furnace is a wise investment. You鈥檒l reduce maintenance and energy costs!

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