for more information 

visit www.energystar.gov

or call 1.888.STAR.YES

(1.888.782.7937)

Office of Air and Radiation

(6202J)

EPA 430-K-05-004

May 2005

UNITED STATES

ENVIRONMENTAL

PROTECTION AGENCY

Recycled/Recyclable - Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Post-consumer Content)

A Guide to Energy-Efficient 

Heating and Cooling
1. Learn how to maintain your heating and cooling 

equipment and increase system performance to save

energy and money while providing a more comfortable,

healthy home for you and your family.

2. Decide when it’s time to replace your old heating and

cooling equipment with more energy-efficient equipment. 

For more information, visit www.energystar.gov or call 

1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

4 – When is it Time for a Change?

Review the checklist to find out what 

improvements your home and heating 

and cooling system may need. 

6 – Maintaining Your Equipment

Learn how preventative maintenance helps 

keep your heating and cooling system at 

peak performance.

8 – Improving Your Home’s Comfort

with Home Sealing

Get recommendations to increase your comfort 

and save energy.

10 – Sealing Your Ducts

Improve your home’s duct system to increase 

your heating and cooling system’s overall 

performance and efficiency.

Contents

12 – Working with a Heating and

Cooling Contractor

Choose the right contractor and know what to

expect from them.

14 – Choosing the Right Equipment

Know what to look for to get the most energyefficient heating and cooling equipment.

16 – Getting Properly Sized

Equipment and a Quality Installation

Get equipment that is the right size for your home

and make sure your contractor follows proper

installation procedures.

Use this guide to help you:

You can

for the better make a change

The average home spends about $1,900 annually on 

energy bills. Heating and cooling accounts for as much as

half of a home’s energy use. The EPA provides important 

recommendations for energy-efficient equipment, including

proper sizing, quality installation and maintenance, and

other home improvement considerations to help you get the

most out of the heating and cooling products you purchase,

save energy, and save as much as 20% annually on your

total energy costs. 

Whether you’re replacing heating and cooling equipment 

in your home or planning the installation of equipment in a

new home, choosing ENERGY STAR® qualified products 

can help keep your home comfortable year-round and 

contribute to a cleaner environment. 

ENERGY STAR qualified products prevent greenhouse gas

emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set

by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). 

................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................
4

When is it Time 

for a Change?

As much as half of your household energy use goes to

heating and cooling. With a few simple steps to properly

seal and insulate your home, and energy-efficient heating

and cooling equipment, you can stay comfortable and save

on your energy bills at the same time. Review the checklist

on the next page to decide whether you should consider

sealing air leaks, adding insulation, replacing your old 

heating and cooling system, or improving the performance

of your existing system. Once you’ve decided on what

changes need to be made, visit page 12 “Working with a

Heating and Cooling Contractor” for tips on selecting the

right contractor to perform the services you need.

5

You may want to consider making a change if:

Some of your rooms are too hot or cold. Duct problems, inadequate air sealing or

insulation could be the cause. No matter how efficient your heating and cooling 

system is, if your home is not properly sealed and insulated against air leakage, you

will not be as comfortable and your system will have to work harder. Learn more on

page 8, “Improving your Home’s Comfort with Home Sealing.”

Your home has humidity problems and/or excessive dust. Poorly operating or

improperly sized equipment could be to blame. Leaky ductwork can also cause 

these problems, so having it sealed may be a solution. Monthly maintenance of 

your heating and cooling equipment’s filters may also help. See page 16, “Getting

Properly Sized Equipment and a Quality Installation,” page 10, “Sealing Your Ducts”

or page 6, “Maintaining Your Equipment.”

Your cooling system is noisy. Your duct system could be improperly sized or there

may be a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment. See page 10,

“Sealing Your Ducts” or page 6, “Maintaining Your Equipment.”

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up. 

In addition to the rise in energy costs, the age and condition of your heating and

cooling equipment may have caused it to become less efficient. See page 6,

“Maintaining Your Equipment” or page 14, “Choosing the Right Equipment.”

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 12 years old. Consider replacing it

with newer, more efficient equipment. And remember, high efficiency levels begin

with ENERGY STAR. See page 14, “Choosing the Right Equipment.”

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old. Consider replacing with ENERGY

STAR qualified equipment. ENERGY STAR has set high efficiency guidelines for both

furnaces and boilers. See page 14, “Choosing the Right Equipment.” 

You leave your thermostat set at one constant temperature. You could be missing a

great energy-saving opportunity. A programmable thermostat adjusts your home’s

temperature at times when you’re regularly away or sleeping. See page 14,

“Choosing the Right Equipment – Programmable Thermostats.”

Your score on the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick is below five. That means

you’re using more energy at home than most Americans and probably paying more

than you need to on energy bills. Get personalized recommendations to improve your

home and/or heating and cooling system. Find the Home Energy Yardstick at

www.energystar.gov. Click on Home Energy Analysis.

.............................................................................................................................
6 7

The following checklists outline additional steps

your contractor should follow when servicing

either your heating or cooling system:

Heating-Specific

Checklist:

Cooling-Specific

Checklist:

6

Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of heating and cooling system 

failure. One of the most important steps you can take to prevent future

problems and unwanted costs is proper maintenance. Keep your

heating and cooling systems at peak performance by 1. cleaning or

replacing the air filter about once a month, and 2. having a contractor

do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy during 

summer and winter months, so it’s best to check the cooling system 

in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you

might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and

fall. For tips on hiring the right contractor, see page 12, “Working with

a Heating and Cooling Contractor.”

Maintaining 

Your Equipment

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

Check thermostat settings to ensure the heating and cooling system turns on 

and off at the programmed temperatures.

Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors.

Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and

reduce the life of major components.

Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors 

and increase the amount of electricity you use. It can also cause equipment 

to wear out more quickly, requiring more frequent repairs or replacements.

Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, 

furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). If plugged, the drain can

cause water damage in the house, affect indoor humidity levels, and breed 

bacteria and mold.

Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the 

starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, 

and shuts off properly.

Inspect, clean, or change air filter in your central air conditioner, furnace, 

and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this yourself.

Depending on your system, your filter may be found in the duct system 

versus the heating and cooling equipment itself. A dirty filter causes 

energy costs to be greater than they should be and can damage your 

equipment, leading to early failures.

Overall System Maintenance Checklist

Your contractor should complete the following each spring and fall:

Clean indoor and outdoor coils before warm weather starts. A dirty coil reduces the 

system’s ability to cool your home and causes the system to run longer, costing you more

energy dollars and decreasing the life of the equipment.

Check your central air conditioner’s refrigerant charge and adjust it if necessary to make

sure it meets manufacturer specifications. Too much or too little refrigerant charge 

can damage the compressor, reducing the life of your equipment and increasing costs.

Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow. Proper airflow

over the indoor coil is necessary for efficient equipment operation and reliablity.

Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger.

Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to

health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner 

operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.

System-Specific Maintenance
8 9

The exterior of your home is called the “envelope” or “shell.” The envelope is

made up of the outer walls, ceiling, windows, and floor. It is common to find

both old and new homes that have poorly performing “envelopes” – that is,

they have drafty air leaks and are poorly insulated. An envelope that performs

poorly leads to an uncomfortable home and higher heating and cooling bills.

This is especially true when the weather outside is very cold or hot. Sealing

air leaks and adding insulation can increase your home’s overall comfort, as

well as reduce heating and cooling bills.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR Home Sealing:

Improved comfort, especially during periods of hot or cold weather

Lower energy use, which means lower energy bills

A quieter home due to less noise entering from the outside

Fewer holes where pollen, dust, pollution, and insects can enter your home

Improved durability of the building structure through the reduced movement 

of moist air

Whether you do it yourself or have a contractor work on your home, it is important to have

your local heating and cooling contractor perform a Combustion Safety Test after sealing air

leaks to be sure all your gas or oil burning appliances are working properly. A good time to

have it checked is during your annual heating system check-up. Of course, another way to

help ensure good indoor air quality in your home is to test for radon. 

Learn more about Home Sealing and your home’s envelope by visiting www.energystar.gov

and clicking on Home Sealing. 

For the “Do-it-Yourselfer” with an accessible attic, view “A DIY Guide to ENERGY STAR 

Home Sealing” for step-by-step instructions for sealing air leaks and adding insulation.

If you prefer to hire a professional to seal your home, you can view recommendations 

for finding a contractor. 

•

•

•

•

•

To improve your home’s envelope, the EPA recommends

a process called ENERGY STAR Home Sealing:

Seal air leaks to reduce drafts and get the full performance out of insulation.

Always seal air leaks before adding insulation.

Add insulation to keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient. 

Usually, the easiest and most effective place to add insulation is in the attic.

This can improve comfort throughout the home. The U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) recommends insulation levels for each part of the house, tailored for

varying climates. Visit www.energystar.gov and click on Home Sealing to see

recommended levels of insulation.

Choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows when replacing or adding windows

to your home. In addition to making you feel more comfortable, they reduce UV

damage to interior fabrics and can help you save money on heating and cooling

costs. Be sure the windows you choose are qualified for your climate zone.

................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................

Improving Your Home’s

Comfort with Home Sealing

COMMON AIR LEAKS

PLUMBING

STACK VENT

BATHROOM

FAN VENT

RECESSED

LIGHTS RECESSED

LIGHTS CHASE

KITCHEN

FAN VENT

OUTDOOR

FAUCET

CRAWL SPACE

Air leaking into the house

Air leaking out of the house

ATTIC

HATCH

ELECTRICAL

OUTLET

DRYER VENT

•

•
10 11

Sealing Your Ducts

Ducts are an integral part of a forced-air system such

as a furnace, heat pump, or central air conditioner,

whose job is to circulate heated or cooled air evenly

to every room in a house. 

Poorly performing ducts can leak conditioned air and reduce your system’s

efficiency by as much as 20%, by causing it to work harder to keep your

home at a comfortable temperature. Ducts are commonly concealed in

walls, ceilings, attics, basements, or crawl spaces, which can make them

difficult to access and repair. EPA recommends using a professional 

contractor for duct improvements. Many contractors who install heating

and cooling systems also repair ductwork. For tips on selecting the right

contractor, see p. 12, “Working with a Heating and Cooling Contractor.”

Improve your ducts by sealing leaks and insulating the ducts in attics and

crawl spaces. This will improve your system’s overall performance and your

home’s comfort and indoor air quality. You should have your duct system

checked by a professional contractor to ensure it is operating efficiently to

deliver the right amount of conditioned air.

Check, measure, and identify leaks with diagnostic equipment.

Repair or replace damaged, disconnected, or undersized ducts.

Straighten out flexible ducts that are tangled or crushed.

Seal leaks and connections with mastic, metal tape, or an aerosolbased sealant. Duct tape should never be used because it will not

last. Test airflow after sealing ducts.

Seal all registers and grills tightly to the ducts.

Insulate ducts in unconditioned areas, like attics and crawl spaces,

with duct insulation that carries an R-value of 6 or higher.

Include a new filter as part of any duct system improvements.

Conduct a Combustion Safety Test after ducts are sealed to ensure

there is no backdrafting of gas or oil-burning appliances.

For more information and a copy of ENERGY STAR’s “Duct Sealing”

brochure, visit www.energystar.gov/ducts.

Duct Improvement Checklist

When making improvements to your duct 

system, your contractor should:

.............................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................

Leaky duct connection

Return leaks

Furniture blocking register

Leaks at furnace & filter slot and duct tape failure

Fallen duct insulation

Supply leaks

Kinks in ductwork restricting airflow

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

COMMON DUCT PROBLEMS
Working with a Heating

and Cooling Contractor 

Whether you want to schedule an annual equipment 

maintenance check-up or you’ve decided that you need 

to purchase and have new heating or cooling equipment

installed, you will need to hire a contractor.

The following sections will help you find the right contractor,

get quality and value from the contractor and your new

equipment, and get a signed agreement on the work to be

done. Many of the following recommendations also apply if

you choose to work with a contractor to make other home

improvements such as home sealing or duct work. 

.............................................................................................................................

Perform an on-site inspection of the job you want done and provide a

detailed bid in a timely manner.

Demonstrate to you that they are licensed and insured to repair or

install heating and cooling equipment (many states require this).

Be able to provide their certification for refrigerant handling, required

since 1992.

Have several years of experience as a business in your community.

Provide examples of quality installation of energy-efficient heating

and/or cooling equipment work, with names of customers that you

can contact.

Complete and submit the warranty information card on your behalf.

How do you choose the right contractor?

A reputable contractor should:

12 13

Show you a layout of where the 

equipment is going to be installed.

Determine the size of your new 

equipment using ACCA/ANSI 

Manual J®, or an equivalent sizing 

calculation tool.

Check refrigerant charge using pressure

and temperature measurements.

Explain the financial benefit of installing

ENERGY STAR qualified equipment.

Diagnose and repair your duct system,

if needed.

Provide financing for the purchase, if

necessary.

Explain the warranty on equipment,

parts, and labor.

Clearly explain the benefits of regular

maintenance and help you set up a

schedule to keep your system 

operating at its best.

List in detail all the work that is

being contracted.

Specify all products by quantity,

name, model number, and energy

ratings.

Provide manufacturer’s warranty,

equipment documentation, and 

contractor installation warranty

information (if applicable).

Give the payment schedule.

State the scheduled start and 

completion date.

Describe how disputes will be

resolved.

State the contractor’s liability 

insurance and licenses if required.

Outline paperwork and permits

needed for the project.

Get Quality and Value.

Have the contractor:

Sign an agreement

before work begins.

Both you and your contractor

should sign a written proposal

before work gets started. The

agreement or proposal should:
14 15

Choosing the 

Right Equipment

When purchasing heating or cooling equipment, remember

that high efficiency levels begin with ENERGY STAR.

Whether you’re searching for a new heat pump, furnace, 

or other heating and cooling equipment, ENERGY STAR has

set energy efficiency specifications to help you save on

energy bills and improve the comfort level in your home. 

A programmable thermostat is recommended for individuals and families who are 

away from home during set periods of time throughout the week, allowing them to 

use less energy without sacrificing comfort. Programmable thermostats that have

earned the ENERGY STAR offer the most energy-saving potential for your home and,

unlike older manual thermostats, contain no mercury. Through proper use of your

ENERGY STAR qualified thermostat, you can save about $150 every year in energy costs. 

In order to increase your energy savings, it’s important that you:

Keep the thermostat set at energy-saving temperatures for long periods of time, 

such as during the day when no one is home and through the night. ENERGY STAR

qualified thermostats come with four pre-programmed temperature settings for 

typical weekday and weekend routines. 

Resist the urge to override the pre-programmed settings. Every time you do, you use

more energy and may end up paying more on your energy bill.

Set the “hold” button at a constant energy-saving temperature when going away for

the weekend or on vacation.

Install your thermostat away from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting,

doorways, skylights, and windows, and areas that receive direct sunlight or drafts.

Interior walls are best.

If you have a heat pump, you may require a special programmable thermostat

to maximize your energy savings year-round. Talk to your retailer or contractor

for the details before selecting your thermostat.

Programmable Thermostats

Furnaces are the most commonly used residential heating system in the United

States, running most often on gas, but sometimes on fuel oil or electricity, and deliver

their heat through a duct system. One in four furnaces in U.S. homes today is more

than 20 years old. ENERGY STAR qualified furnaces use advanced technology to

deliver higher efficiency than standard new furnaces available today.

Furnaces

ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners have a higher SEER than today’s

standard models. SEER, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures energy 

efficiency. The higher the SEER, the greater the level of efficiency. Since sizing and

proper installation of a central air conditioning system are critical to energy 

efficiency and home comfort, it is important to hire a qualified technician.

Central Air Conditioners

Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs): ASHPs, often used in moderate climates, use

the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your

home. For example, they work in cold weather because the air is warmer than the

refrigerant in the system and causes it to boil into a gas. This gas is then compressed

which drives the temperature up to 120 degrees or more. This hot gas transfers heat to

your home. High efficiency ASHPs use less energy than conventional models. They

also come with higher HSPF ratings. HSPF, the Heating and Seasonal Performance

Factor, measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps.

Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs): By using stable temperature conditions in the ground,

GHPs cool and heat your home. In addition to providing much lower energy bills, high

efficiency GHPs are quieter and include water-heating capabilities. Although initially

expensive, they quickly pay back the homeowner with significant cost savings. GHPs

are most often installed in new homes and require a duct system.

Heat Pumps

A boiler heats your home by burning gas or fuel oil to heat water or steam that 

circulates through radiators, baseboards, or radiant floor systems. Boilers do not 

use a duct system. Boilers that have earned the ENERGY STAR have higher AFUE

ratings. AFUE, the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of heating 

equipment efficiency.

How much energy you save will vary based on your use and climate, with colder

regions likely saving more. Features that improve boiler efficiency include electronic

ignition, which eliminates the need to have the pilot light burning all the time, and

technologies that extract more heat from the same amount of fuel.

Boilers

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

•

•

•

•

14
16 17

Getting Properly Sized

Equipment and a Quality

Installation

When purchasing heating and cooling equipment, choosing energy-efficient 

products is a step in the right direction. However, asking the right questions

of your contractor and making sure your equipment is properly sized and

installed are also important elements to ensure that your new system 

performs at optimal efficiency.

When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger doesn’t always

mean better. Larger capacity systems are intended to meet the needs of 

a larger heating or cooling load. However, if the unit is too large for your

home, you will experience less comfort and increased costs. Oversized

equipment will operate in short run times or cycles, not allowing the unit

to reach efficient operation. In addition, oversized equipment will not run

long enough to remove humidity from the air. This can leave you feeling 

cool but not comfortable. 

Don’t assume that the size of your new system will be the same as your 

old equipment. Changes, such as additions or insulation improvements, 

may have been made to the house since the original equipment was

installed; or, the equipment may have been too large from the start. Expect

the contractor to gather information about your house such as the level of

insulation, type and size of the windows, and floor area. Your contractor 

can determine the right size for your heating and cooling equipment by

using ACCA/ANSI Manual J®, or an equivalent sizing calculation tool that

takes these and other factors into consideration.

When installing your new heating and cooling

equipment, your contractor should do the 

following to ensure a quality installation:

.............................................................................................................................

Provide adequate room around the equipment for service and maintenance.

Test and verify proper airflow (if a furnace or heat pump).

Verify that your furnace or boiler has been tested for proper burner operation and

proper venting of flue gases. The vent piping should be inspected for leaks or 

deterioration and repaired or replaced as necessary.

Provide adequate room around the equipment for service and maintenance.

Replace the indoor coil of the equipment when replacing the outdoor unit. To get the 

expected level of efficiency, you should have a matched set. An old coil will not work 

efficiently with a new outdoor unit.

Confirm that the level of refrigerant charge and the airflow across the indoor coil meets

the manufacturer’s recommendation. It’s estimated that more than 60% of central air 

conditioners are incorrectly charged during installation. 

Place the condenser in an area that can be protected from rain, snow, or vegetation, 

as specified by the manufacturer. If you have a central air conditioning unit, cover your 

outside equipment during the winter to protect it from snow and ice. Heat pumps need 

to be left uncovered to properly operate during the winter.

Quality Cooling Installation Checklist:

Quality Heating Installation Checklist:
18 19

Protecting Our 

Environment Starts 

at Home.

5 Steps You Can Take to Reduce Air Pollution:

..........................................................................................................................

Change five lights. Change a light and you help change the world. If every

American home replaced their 5 most frequently used light fixtures or the

bulbs in them with ones that have earned the ENERGY STAR, we would

save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs, and together we'd 

prevent the greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly 

10 million cars.

Look for products that have earned the ENERGY STAR. Ask for us by 

name. You’ll get the features and performance you want AND help reduce 

air pollution. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products in more than 50 

product categories, including lighting, home electronics, heating and 

cooling equipment, and appliances. If you are building or buying a newly

constructed home, ask about ENERGY STAR –we qualify those too.

Heat and cool smartly. Improve the performance of your heating and 

cooling system. Have it serviced annually by a licensed contractor, and

remember to clean or replace air filters regularly. To avoid heating or 

cooling an empty house, use an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable 

thermostat. And when it’s time to replace old equipment, choose an 

ENERGY STAR qualified model, and make sure it’s sized and installed 

properly. If just one household in 10 did this, the change would prevent 

more than 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases. 

Seal up your home. Drafty windows and doors, cold walls or ceilings, 

and high energy bills are all symptoms of air leaks (usually in the attic

and basement) and poor insulation. Seal air leaks, add insulation, and

choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows when replacing old windows.

That way you’ll improve the comfort and durability of your home, save

energy and help protect our environment.

Tell family and friends. Slip it into a conversation with a friend or family

member. Talk about it at a neighbor’s barbecue. Pass it on at a PTA

meeting or at work. We’re asking you to help spread the word that

energy efficiency is good for your home and good for our environment.

Tell five people and together we can help our homes help us all.

ENERGY STAR

It’s a good sign.

The ENERGY STAR program is a voluntary partnership between consumers,

their families, and many of the most respected brand names. All of us are

working together to achieve a common goal: to protect our environment 

for future generations by changing to more energy-efficient practices today.

Since the fossil fuel-based energy used in a typical home can cause 

twice as many greenhouse gas emissions as the average car, the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency encourages homeowners to make their

homes more energy-efficient. The government awards the ENERGY STAR 

to those products, companies and organizations, homes, and services that 

meet specifications established by EPA and DOE. It’s our future. 

Together, we can make a change for the better. 

The average household can be responsible for nearly twice

the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car. The leading

source of greenhouse gas emissions is energy production;

whenever you operate any product in your home that runs

on electricity, a power plant is most likely generating that

electricity by burning fossil fuels (such as coal and oil),

which produces greenhouse gases. Here are 5 ways you

can help reduce the risks of global warming!