Want to save energy and money on heating and cooling? Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol!

ENERGY STAR®-certified products meet strict technical specifications for energy performance - tested and certified. They make it easy for you to find appliances and products that help save money on energy bills.

If you're in the market for a new air conditioner or furnace, check for the ENERGY STAR® symbol. Here are some more tips, considerations and benefits of upgrading your air conditioner or furnace.

Cooling

When things heat up this summer, a new high-efficiency ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioner will help keep you cool.

Here are some things to consider when purchasing a new air conditioner.

• The cost of energy to operate your AC over its lifetime is just as important as the purchase price. Here’s how to figure that out: 
• You can calculate your AC's operating costs by factoring in how many days of the year you need to cool, the cost of electricity (are you on a fixed-rate plan?), the unit's cooling capacity and the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER). Your HVAC contractor can help you with this!
• The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit, and the better the energy savings.
• Get at least three quotes from different contractors. Multiple quotes allow you to compare products and pricing and get a good feel for each company.
• A qualified HVAC contractor will measure your home and provide options to meet your cooling requirements. You don't want to purchase an AC that is too large or too small for your space.

What are the benefits of a new air conditioner?

• Lower energy use: An ENERGY STAR®-certified air conditioner can reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and energy bill.
• Improved home comfort: Central air conditioning helps keep your home cool and reduces humidity. Who doesn't want a cool house during a heat wave in Alberta?
• Cleaner air: A central air conditioning system draws air out of rooms in your house. Then, it pulls the air through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust, dander and lint. High-end filters may remove pollutants and pathogens, as well. Once it’s filtered, the cleaner air circulates back into your house. A newer system can improve indoor air quality and remove allergens. This is good news for people with asthma or allergies!
• Quieter operation: With an AC, the compressor bearing unit is outside the house. That means the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning unit.