Choosing the most effective, economical, and energy-efficient HVAC equipment and appliances requires reliable information. One of the best and most easily accessible sources of this information is the EnergyGuide label. The Federal Trade Commission requires that the labels be affixed to many types of energy-consuming devices. With data from the EnergyGuide label, you can make accurate estimates of how much it will cost to run that equipment and whether its purchase price represents a true value.
EnergyGuide labels are bright yellow sheets of paper attached to particular types of HVAC equipment and home appliances. The labels contain information that allows you to estimate operating costs and compare other models with the one you are considering. HVAC equipment such as furnaces, window and central air conditioners, boilers, heat pumps, and water heaters include an EnergyGuide label. The labels are also on large appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers and pool heaters.
EnergyGuide labels can include the following information:
- General information: Manufacturer name, equipment size or capacity, and model number.
- Key features: A list of the most important features and capabilities of the equipment.
- Estimated yearly operating cost: Estimated annual costs for running the equipment under normal conditions.
- Cost range: Upper and lower range of operating costs for similar equipment.
- Estimated yearly electricity use: Estimate of kilowatt hours the equipment will use over a year.
- Energy Star label: The Energy Star logo will be included on the label if the device is Energy Star certified.
Some EnergyGuide labels have different information. Air conditioner labels include the unit’s energy efficiency ratio (EER), which is a numerical value indicating how efficiently the unit performs during the hottest periods. Furnace labels will include the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, which represents furnace efficiency.
Ace Hardware Home Services Heating Inc. has provided expert cooling and heating services in and around Dayton since the company was founded more than 30 years ago. Contact us today for more information on how to read and understand the EnergyGuide label.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about the EnergyGuide label and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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