If you’re considering upgrading your home’s HVAC system or buying other energy-saving products, look for the Energy Star when you’re shopping for new equipment. The blue Energy Star logo can help guide you to savings.The Energy Star program was founded in the United States during the 1990s to help combat rising energy prices and to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere. Since its creation, the program has achieved widespread success.

To earn the logo, equipment must meet specific energy-efficiency ratings. For example, a split-system air source heat pump must have an SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of 14 or higher and an EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 12 or higher. These ratings refer to how effectively the unit uses the energy required to run it. The ratings are universal, so comparing different units is easy. Energy Star-certified equipment is at least 15 percent more efficient than traditional equipment.

You can be sure that Energy Star-certified products are cutting edge; the program updates its standards periodically to reflect emerging technologies. Because new technologies can potentially be more expensive than conventional ones, the federal EPA guarantees that any product with the logo will make up for the extra cost in energy savings over a reasonable amount of time.

Products with the Energy Star logo are also widely available and never contain proprietary technology. This means that they are affordable and it’s easy to find qualified technicians to install and maintain them. Standards used to rate the technology are also universal, meaning that your chosen HVAC technician can easily tell you if your equipment is operating properly.

To find out more about Energy Star-certified options for your home, please contact us at Overland Park Heating & Cooling. Our team of dedicated professionals has been serving the greater Kansas City area for 30 years. We can help you find solutions for all of your heating and cooling needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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