Improve Energy Efficiency with
High Efficiency HVAC Systems
Builder Guide
DESCRIPTION
Frequently home buyers do not carefully consider the
performance of HVAC equipment in their new home
purchase decision. But, long-term energy costs are
a major expense for most homeowners. Over a ten-
year period, the average home owner spends more
than $10,000 for heating and cooling. ENERGY STAR
labeled high efficiency HVAC equipment reduces
these costs. Heating and cooling equipment qualifies
for E
NERGY
S
TAR
if it meets the required efficiency
levels specified in the adjoining table. Thermostats
qualify if they provide a programmable set-back
capability. When you equip your homes with
E
NERGY
S
TAR
HVAC equipment your customers can
save thousands of dollars in home heating and
cooling costs over the life of the equipment. They
also offer the additional benefits of improved comfort,
quieter operation, longer life, and in some cases
safer operation. For these reasons, high efficiency
HVAC equipment are an important component of
E
NERGY
S
TAR
labeled homes.
B
ENEFITS
Providing a comfortable, energy efficient house with
high efficiency HVAC equipment can increase
customer satisfaction, reduce callbacks, and
increase referrals. This can increase business and
profits.
High efficiency HVAC equipment
saves energy.
High efficiency HVAC equipment can reduce utility
bills by 10 - 30% over minimum efficiency equipment.
For a typical household this can mean hundreds of
dollars savings per year. These energy
E
NERGY
S
TAR
Qualifying Efficiencies
E
NERGY
S
TAR
HVAC
Product
Cooling
Heating
Gas and Oil Furnaces
-
90%+ AFUE
Gas and Oil Boilers
-
85% AFUE
Split System Air
Source Heat Pumps
and Central A/C
13 SEER
8 HSPF
Single Package Air
Source Heat Pumps
and Central A/C
12 SEER
7.6 HSPF
Geothermal Heat
Pumps
13/16 EER
3.1/3.7 COP
cost savings can represent a 20 to 40 percent return on
investment after taxes for the extra cost of high efficiency
equipment! And the energy savings go on.
High efficiency HVAC equipment
improves comfort.
High efficiency HVAC equipment can improve home
comfort several ways with more even heating and cooling
and quieter operation.
High efficiency HVAC equipment feature
higher quality components that last
longer.
The quality construction, improved technology, and
attention to detail found in high efficiency HVAC products
usually results in longer equipment life and often longer
warranties on key components.
High efficiency HVAC equipment are
available, proven technologies.
Leading manufacturers of nearly all types of HVAC
equipment have signed agreements with the EPA to
manufacture and promote high efficiency heating and air-
conditioning products. ENERGY STAR labeled HVAC
equipment include: furnaces, boilers, air conditioners,
air-source heat pumps, geothermal systems, gas heat
pumps, and thermostats.
Installation of high efficiency HVAC
equipment is hassle-free.
Many HVAC contractors are already experienced in
the installation of high efficiency HVAC equipment.
Providing high efficiency HVAC equipment usually
requires minimal changes in your construction
practices.
High efficiency combustion
appliances are safer.
Most high efficiency combustion appliances (e.g.,
furnaces, boilers, and hot-water heaters) are direct
vented units, without the need for a chimney stack.
This improves efficiency and eliminates the risk of
back-drafting combustion gases into the home. With
increasing concern about Carbon Monoxide, this can
be a strong selling feature.
High efficiency combustion
appliances save on construction
costs.
Direct vented combustion appliances are vented
directly through walls, and do not require a chimney
stack. This may save on materials and construction
costs, and offset some of the increased costs of high
efficiency HVAC equipment. They may also offer
more design flexibility by saving 2 to 4 square feet of
living space.
INTEGRATION
Right-sized energy efficient HVAC
equipment can provide additional
savings.
When combined with other home energy efficiency
features such as increased insulation and air-tight
construction, right-sized HVAC equipment can
provide additional first cost savings. Since right-sized
equipment is smaller, there can be lower costs that
can cover a significant portion of the added cost of
high efficiency cooling equipment. The key to
achieving this additional benefit is carefully sizing the
equipment, accounting for energy efficient features
and avoiding "rule-of-thumb" sizing techniques. See
fact sheet on
"Right Sizing HVAC Equipment" for more
information.
Installation of high efficiency combustion
appliances requires coordination with
subcontractors.
Direct vented combustion appliances are vented directly
through walls, instead of through a chimney stack. Both
masonry and framing crews should be coordinated with
the installation of direct vented equipment.
R
ESOURCES
For more information on ENERGY STAR HVAC
Program and qualifying equipment, call 1-888-STAR
YES.
ARI Directories of Certified Air-Conditioning
Products, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Institute,
1996. Available at 703-524-8800.
GAMA Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings for
Residential Heating and Water Heating Equipment,
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, 1996.
Available at 703-525-9565.
