You may have seen the blue Energy Star logo on major appliances around your home. Did you know that those appliances are saving you money each time you use them? Energy Star is a federal program designed to save you money on energy costs and help reduce pollution of the environment.
The Energy Star program was initiated by the United States in the 1990s to combat global warming caused by greenhouse emissions as well as to save consumers money on rising energy prices. Since its inception during the Clinton administration, the Energy Star has been adopted by nations worldwide. In the United States, the Energy Star program is coordinated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In order to earn the Energy Star logo, appliances must meet certain criteria. HVAC equipment that is Energy Star certified has high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings. This means that such equipment is at least 15 percent more efficient than traditional technology.
The standards by which the Energy Star certification is granted must be testable, meaning that any professional technician can verify that your equipment is running up-to-spec. HVAC equipment with the Energy Star logo also uses widely available technology that must be non-proprietary, ensuring that the technology is accessible and affordable to consumers and serviceable by technicians.
Energy Star certified equipment might have a higher up-front cost for purchasing the equipment, but the EPA guarantees that the costs will be recovered in energy bill savings over a reasonable amount of time. Because new technology is generally developed with energy efficiency in mind, the EPA also guarantees that Energy Star products are up to date. The agency updates its standards from time-to-time to reflect emerging technologies.
Joplin’s Air Conditioning and Heating has been serving North Texas for 35 years. Contact a member of our dedicated staff to learn about the Energy Star technology that’s available, and for all of your HVAC repair and installation needs as well.
