ENERGY EFFICIENT SPACE HEATING AND COOLING

If you’re a typical homeowner, you spend about $1,900 each year on energy bills—and as much as half of that amount goes to heating and cooling your home. It makes sense to look carefully at your heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and evaluate whether there are changes you could make to reduce your energy bill and improve your comfort and safety.

To learn more about energy-efficient space heating and cooling, consult the FAQ below.

Energy Efficient Space Heating and Cooling FAQ

1. How can I save energy and money on space heating and cooling?
2. How much will it cost to make my space heating and cooling more energy efficient?
3. How much money and energy will I save?
4. Are there any additional benefits?
5. What should I keep in mind if I’m hiring a contractor?
6. What rebates and incentives are available?
7. Are there any laws or regulations I need to be aware of?

1. How can I save energy and money on space heating and cooling?

There are a variety of changes you can make to improve energy efficiency, from simple maintenance to system replacement. Some of these you can do on your own; for others, you may wish to (or need to) hire an HVAC contractor. Here are the four main areas where you can make improvements to increase the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling equipment.

1. Equipment Maintenance
   • Change your air filter regularly. If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool. A clean air filter does more than increase efficiency; it can also extend the life of your HVAC system.
   • Tune up your HVAC equipment each year.
2. Ducts
   Forced-air heating and cooling systems rely on ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

   Sealing leaks and insulating ducts can make your heating and cooling equipment much more efficient. You can seal and insulate ducts on your own or you can hire a contractor to evaluate your duct system and make improvements.

3. Programmable Thermostats
   You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for eight hours a day. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to set this up automatically, so that your HVAC system uses less energy while you are sleeping or away from your home. You could save nearly $200 a year with this strategy.
4. Heating and Cooling Systems
   If you are planning to replace your current system, there are a variety of heating and cooling systems that you can choose from, and many are ENERGY STAR® qualified units specifically designed for energy efficiency. When making your choice, you should take into account your current system, the climate you live in, the size of your home and the fuel type options available to you.

   For more information:

   Review the U.S. Department of Energy’s Heating and Cooling page.

   Learn what an HVAC tune-up should include.

   Explore do-it-yourself duct sealing and insulating resources from ENERGY STAR and the EPA.

   Find tips on choosing and getting the most out of your programmable thermostat.

   Properly set and use your programmable thermostat.

   Get information about the types of HVAC systems available from the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Energy Savers” website.
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   Review available ENERGY STAR qualified HVAC system models.

   Take ENERGY STAR’s HVAC Quiz.

   Review ENERGY STAR’s Heating and Cooling System Maintenance Checklist.

2. How much will it cost to make my space heating and cooling more energy efficient?

There are some relatively low-cost actions you can take, such as installing a programmable thermostat, which costs $30-$300.

Replacing your current heating or cooling system will cost more than the maintenance options listed above, and prices will vary based on your unique circumstances. As a ballpark figure, a new high-efficiency furnace with installation can cost $2,500 or more. ENERGY STAR qualified products may be more expensive to purchase than other models, but lower long-term energy bills should make up the difference—and may even save you money in the long run.

3. How much money and energy will I save?

The amount of money and energy you will save depends on the actions you take and the size and efficiency of your current system. If you are able to combine several of the strategies for increased efficiency, including proper equipment maintenance and upgrades, appropriate insulation, air sealing and programmed thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20-50%.

Simple measures, such as installing and properly setting a programmable thermostat can save you up to 10% on your home’s heating and cooling costs.

4. Are there any additional benefits?

In addition to energy and financial saving, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems have other benefits such as:

• Increased comfort—Properly sealed and insulated ducts and programmable thermostats can help regulate your home’s temperature, which can greatly increase the comfort level of your home.
• Indoor air quality—Sealing ducts can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the risk of pollutants entering ducts and circulating through your home.
• Safety—During normal operation, gas appliances such as water heaters, clothes dryers and furnaces release combustion gases (like carbon monoxide) through their ventilation systems. Leaky ductwork in your heating and cooling system may cause “backdrafting” where these gases are drawn back into the living space, rather than expelled to the outdoors. Sealing leaks can minimize this risk.
• Reducing maintenance costs—Replacing your air filter regularly can reduce maintenance costs. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system—leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

5. What should I keep in mind if I’m hiring a contractor?

For general tips, including what to ask a potential contractor, how to compare bids and how to monitor quality, please visit the How to Hire a Contractor page.

In addition to the general tips on our How to Hire a Contractor page, you may need to consider some specific issues when hiring a contractor for this particular kind of work. Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

If you plan to get a new heating or cooling system, proper installation is essential for optimal performance and energy savings. Poor installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30% and can shorten the equipment’s life. Make sure to ask contractors if their work meets guidelines set by ENERGY STAR and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

A reputable heating and cooling system contractor should:

• Demonstrate to you that they are licensed and insured to repair or install heating and cooling equipment.
• Be able to provide their certification for refrigerant handling, required since 1992.
• The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs.
• A bigger system isn't always better; a contractor should size the heating and cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation and windows. A good contractor will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers’ specifications.

For more information:

To search a list of contractors in your area provided by the Better Business Bureau, visit the Energy Action Planner, right on this site.

Learn about proper thermostat installation.

6. What rebates and incentives are available?

There are a number of financial incentives and programs for heating and cooling systems. See the Energy Action Planner for additional information on financial incentives in your area.

7. Are there any laws or regulations I need to be aware of?

Be sure to check local regulations regarding size, location, venting and fuel restrictions for heating and cooling systems.