Energy Star's 'Most Efficient': Why It's A Homeowner's Best Bet

For the past 20 years, the search for new heating or cooling equipment has always included the perfect tool to assist you with your choice: the Energy Star label. But now, due to advancing technology and increasing consumer awareness, Energy Star’s Most Efficient label is going above and beyond the Energy Star standard. So, if you’re looking for HVAC equipment for your northwest Arkansas home, keep an eye out for Energy Star’s Most Efficient Label.

Energy Star has been doing its job too well

By setting standards of energy efficiency in relation to a variety of appliances, Energy Star has fostered competition among manufacturers and assisted millions of consumers in making knowledgeable purchases. But increasing technology, in part due to manufacturers realizing that the Energy Star label was the way to higher profits, has resulted in nearly every appliance meeting the required standards. This is why a new degree of standards was needed.

Stricter standards help products stand out

Energy Star’s Most Efficient label was created to help consumers recognize the most energy-efficient products on the market. To do so, higher standards were set, including AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings of at least 97 percent for gas-powered furnaces and Btu/h (British thermal unit per hour) exceeding 65,000 for air-source heat pumps. By finding equipment that meets these higher standards, consumers can be confident that they’re purchasing the best products, both in terms of energy efficiency and performance.

Look for the label, save money

Some consumers might be concerned with the additional cost of these energy-efficient appliances and products. But there’s an important point to keep in mind. Although it’s true that heating and cooling equipment adorned with Energy Star’s Most Efficient label will initially cost more, you’ll end up saving money over the years as these appliances help lower your energy usage.

For more expert advice about Energy Star’s Most Efficient label, or for any questions relating to home comfort, please contact us at Paschal Heat, Air, and Geothermal.We have been serving the HVAC needs of northwest Arkansas for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Northwest Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about the Most Efficient Label and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock