An Energy-Smart Deal On Home Heating & Cooling

By Don Zeman

If you’re getting ready to build a home, renovate your present house, or just replace your heating and cooling system, there are several things you can do to ensure you’ll get a smart deal.

Ask your builder, installer or home supply outlet about the EnergyGuide label and the fact sheets or product directories for each system you're 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.

Before you buy

1. 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 B and more expensive B energy audit.

2. 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.

3. Compare the performance of different brands and models. Study the product literature. Will the product do the job? How energy efficient is it? What's its repair history? Will it handle your needs today? Ten years from now? Does it fit your budget?

4. Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it costs to run. Consult the Energy Guide 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.

5. 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 you're referring to furnaces and boilers, it's"annual fuel utilization efficiency," or AFUE.

· For room air conditioners, it's"energy efficiency ratio," or EER.

· For central air conditioners and heat pump cooling, it's "seasonal energy efficiency ratio," or SEER.

· For heat pump heating, it's "heating seasonal performance factor," or HSPF.