for Consumers

Heating and

Cooling Your

Home

FTC FACTS

ENVIRONMENT

1-877-FTC-HELP

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER

www.ftc.gov

eating and cooling systems are some of the most important investments youll ever make in your home. Whether youre buying a new

house, renovating an old one or making an emergency purchase

because old faithful finally conked out, theres a lot riding on the

choices you make: Your comfort and safety are at stake, but so is your wallet.

Americans typically spend about 46 cents of every dollar they pay in utility

bills for space conditioning. You can lower those costs by selecting the most

energy-efficient equipment that meets your needs and fits your budget.

The EnergyGuide label on home heating and cooling equipment is intended to

help you do just that. These labels provide a snapshot of the more in-depth

energy efficiency and usage information that manufacturers are required to provide

with their products  generally through a fact sheet or industry association

directory.
Facts for Consumers

Q. Why should I care about energy efficiency?

A.The total cost of an appliance has three

components  the purchase price, the cost of

repairs and maintenance, and the cost to operate

it. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the

less it costs to run and the lower your utility bills.

Using less energy is good for the environment,

too; it can reduce air pollution and help conserve

natural resources.

Q. Is there really that much of a difference

among the various models on the market?

A. All products must meet minimum energy

efficiency standards set by the Department of

Energy. But many products beat the standard, use

even less energy and cost less to run.

Q. What makes one system more efficient than

another?

A. Most of the differences are on the inside

 in the motors, compressors, pumps and valves.

So even if two models look the same from the

outside, these less-obvious features can mean a

big difference in your monthly utility bills.

Q. How can I be sure energy efficiency claims

are not just sales hype?

A. Manufacturers must use standard tests

developed by the Department of Energy to prove

An Energy-Smart Deal On Home

Heating & Cooling...

 Ask your builder, installer or home

supply outlet about the EnergyGuide

label and the fact sheets or product

directories for each system youre considering.

 Compare the energy efficiencies and

operating costs of competing models.

 Consider both the purchase price and

estimated operating costs when you

decide what to buy.

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Facts for Consumers

the efficiency of their products. Many have these

tests performed by independent laboratories. The

test results are reported on the EnergyGuide

labels, and through fact sheets provided by the

manufacturers or in industry association directories.

Before You Buy...

Conduct an energy audit. This will help you

detect energy waste, gauge the efficiency of

your current heating and cooling systems, and

determine if conditioned air is being distributed

properly. Your utility company may offer free

or low-cost energy audits or a do-it-yourself

kit. You also can hire a specialist to do a more

comprehensive  and more expensive  energy

audit.

Weatherize your home. Check the caulking,

weatherstripping and insulation, and make any

necessary repairs. This may enable you to

install a smaller, less expensive heating or

cooling system to get the same results.

Compare the performance of different brands

and models. Study the product literature. Will

the product do the job? How energy efficient is

it? Whats its repair history? Will it handle your

needs today? Ten years from now? Does it fit

your budget?

Estimate how much the appliance will cost to

operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the

more it costs to run. Consult the EnergyGuide

labels, the manufacturers fact sheets or the

industry association directory to compare the

energy efficiency of different models. The

difference on your monthly utility bill can be

significant, especially when considered over the

lifetime of the product. You can save money over

the long run by choosing a more energy-efficient

model, even if it costs more initially.

Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask

your local utility or salesperson if there are cash

rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive

programs in your area for buying energy-efficient

products  and how you can qualify.

How Do You Say Efficiency?

Heating and air conditioning systems have a

language all their own...

 If youre referring to furnaces and boilers,

its annual fuel utilization efficiency, or

AFUE.

 For room air conditioners, its energy

efficiency ratio, or EER.

 For central air conditioners and heat pump

cooling, its seasonal energy efficiency

ratio, or SEER.

 For heat pump heating, its heating seasonal

performance factor, or HSPF.

Tips for Lowering Your Monthly

Energy Bill

Being an energy-smart consumer means

getting the most from the energy you use.

 Shade your room air conditioner from direct

sun. This will reduce its workload. Clean the

filters monthly and replace as necessary to

save energy and reduce dust and pollen

in the air. Lower the setting when you go out

to reduce operating costs.

 Vacuum air vents, baseboard heaters and

radiators regularly to remove dust that reduces heating efficiency. Move furniture,

carpet or curtains that restrict their operation.

If your baseboard heaters have movable

deflectors or vents, open them in the winter

and close them in the summer.

 Schedule annual tune-ups for your heat pump,

furnace or boiler. Check to see if your utility

company provides this service.

 Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky

ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your heating or cooling

equipment is operating at peak efficiency.

 Check your attic, attic stairway, attached

garage walls and basement to ensure that you
Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Consumer Protection

Office of Consumer and Business Education

Produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy

June 2000

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Facts for Consumers

have proper insulation between conditioned

and unconditioned spaces.

 Open your foundation vents each spring if

your home has a crawl space under it. Close

the vents in the winter.

 Prune back shrubs that may block airflow to

your air conditioner or heat pump.

 Consider installing ceiling fans. The air

circulation promotes cooling in the summer

and heating efficiency in the winter.

For More Information

The Federal Trade Commission offers a wide

range of business and consumer education information online at www.ftc.gov. This information

also is available by calling the toll-free helpline at

1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) (TDD: 202-326-

2502) or by writing: Federal Trade Commission,

Consumer Response Center, 600 Pennsylvania

Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580.

The Department of Energys Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network offers a

clearinghouse of energy-efficiency information at

www.eren.doe.gov. This information also is

available by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-

DOE-EREC (363-3732) (TDD: 1-800-273-2957)

or by writing: U.S. Department of Energy 

EREC, PO Box 3048, Merrifield, VA 22116.

Your state and local energy offices and local

utility company also may be valuable sources of

information.