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When buying a new HVAC system, or any other appliance for that matter, you want to make sure you’re getting the most efficient model available. So, you look for units with the blue Energy Star logo. But as you’re shopping, you may notice something: nearly all of the HVAC systems in the store bear the Energy Star logo. Great, so they all operate efficiently.
But then how do you know which is the best? That’s why there’s now a new standard: the Energy Star Most Efficient label. It identifies those appliances that go above and beyond in the quest for energy savings.
To earn regular certification from the federal Energy Star program, a product must be tested by the Environmental Protection Agency and demonstrated to have significant energy savings, without sacrificing performance or features. It must also be proven to save money, allowing you to recover the initial cost of the unit through energy savings within a reasonable amount of time.
The Energy Star program was designed to highlight the top 25 percent of appliances but estimated three-quarters have qualified for the logo in recent years. This makes it difficult to narrow down the choice when shopping around.
In contrast, the Energy Star Most Efficient label, now about to enter its third year of use, is earned by only around the top 5 percent of energy-efficient appliances. Qualifying appliances must already be EPA-certified to meet the regular Energy Star criteria. The label can currently be found on appliances in four categories:
Heating and cooling systems
Clothes washers
Refrigerators
Televisions
Identifying certified products is easy. Next to the blue Energy Star logo, you’ll see “Most Efficient 2012” or “Most Efficient 2013,” to indicate this is one of the top energy-saving products of the year. With a little bit of research and shopping around, you can find the Energy Star Most Efficient label and equip your home for maximum efficiency and savings.
For more advice on saving energy and shopping for efficient appliances, contact our experts at Pipe Works Services We’ve provided high-quality, professional heating and plumbing service to New Jersey since 2000. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chatham, NJ, and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
