Whether you're considering upgrading your central air system or a single kitchen appliance, the decision to do so is a big one. After all, home improvements don't tend to come cheap, so your choices can easily affect your day-to-day quality of household life.

 

The Energy Star Label

If you're a homeowner concerned with saving money on utility costs and helping the planet at the same time, you're in luck. These days, the U.S. government is making it easier than ever to conserve resources and protect the environment. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for a label that many of today's household products and appliances are sporting – the Energy Star label.

 

Back in the early 1990s, the Energy Star program was developed jointly by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. The goal of the initiative was to enable homeowners to save money on utility costs and preserve the environment through energy-efficient practices. To this end, the program works by giving its seal of approval to certain household products that are deemed to be worthy of such.

 

In order to qualify for the Energy Star label, a product must meet certain requirements. Specifically, a product must perform in a comparable manner to similar items on the market, only in a more energy-efficient fashion. Such energy efficiency must be measurable and verifiable. In addition, to qualify as Energy Star approved, a product that costs more than its less energy-efficient counterparts must provide enough savings for a homeowner to recover the difference via significant utility reductions, and within a reasonable period of time following the initial purchase.

 

It's great that the Energy Star program makes the act of identifying energy-efficient products incredibly easy for consumers. All a person has to do is look for the Energy Star label to determine whether or not the item he's interested in purchasing is, indeed, more energy efficient than similar units on the market. Furthermore, the Energy Star rating system applies to a variety of household necessities, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioning systems, boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, light bulbs, and water heaters (including the latest tankless models).

 

The Payback Period

On the other hand, Energy Star items do tend to be more expensive than their non-efficient counterparts, and although they are technically required to come with some sort of built-in payback period, most homeowners will have to wait a number of years to reap the benefits from a financial perspective. So some people can't help but be a bit skeptical about the actual cost savings involved in purchasing Energy Star products.

 

As the director of Sales and Marketing at Amarillo, Texas's A&R Mechanical Services, Blair Harris is a big fan of Energy Star products. According to her, despite the fact that Energy Star products will often cost more to purchase, the cost savings on utilities throughout the years is easily enough to make up for any given initial purchase. Although the length of the actual payback period might vary from item to item and situation to situation, on the whole, Energy Star products are pretty much guaranteed to save you money in the long run.

 

According to Harris, it doesn't automatically make sense for you to upgrade your less efficient appliances to Energy Star models. Since Energy Star items tend to be a bit costly, if you're not planning to stay in your current home for more than a couple of years, you could lose money by paying a lot up front for an Energy Star appliance. Remember, the Energy Star program does not claim to save you money from the get-go, but rather, in the long run.

 

On the other hand, if you're looking to sell your home and want it to appeal to buyers, the addition of a couple of new Energy Star products might be enough to set your house apart from the local competition. So while such a move might not save you money on energy, you can think of it as an investment in a quick sale of your property.

 

When it comes to preserving the planet, every little bit counts. By replacing just some of your inefficient appliances with Energy Star models, you can save yourself a significant amount of money over the years while doing your part for protecting the environment.

 

Blair Harris is a writer for Yodle, a business directory and online advertising company. Find an HVAC contractor or more HVAC articles at Yodle Consumer Guide.

If you are curious why you should buy a GE Energy Star dehumidifier, then you may want to take a minute to learn the benefits of buying the energy star GE brand. The GE Energy Star dehumidifier is so labeled as energy star because it has been proven to consume 10% less energy than non-energy star dehumidifiers. Another set of features that the energy star logo offers on dehumidifiers are that there are electronic controls, up to three speeds for the fan, an off timer, and a safety feature of low temperature use to operate. Just with these combined qualities, it is easy to see why the GE Energy Star dehumidifier can be a good choice when deciding among other dehumidifiers on the market. The pint sizes available on the GE brands range from 30 up to 65 pints all of which are energy star. Using the GE Energy Star dehumidifier can increase the air quality in your home thru its capacity and portability options. The average customer reviews for the GE Energy Star dehumidifier range from four to five stars. The average customer review also says that the GE Energy Star dehumidifier is useful and seems to work better than some of the other brands on the market today. That says a lot when a customer reviews a product and has such wonderful things to say about it. Most of the GE Energy Star dehumidifier systems come with automatic shut-off systems so as to not overflow the container. The GE Energy Star dehumidifier systems are all stylish and compact so they will not take up a lot of space in your home but still offer high pint efficiency for clearing the air in your home. The GE Energy Star dehumidifier also comes with automatic defrost control and humidistat control. These functions can be useful in keeping your GE Energy Star dehumidifier operating efficiently. The affordability of the GE Energy Star dehumidifier is reasonable and within the standard price range for other comparisons of energy star products. The GE Energy Star dehumidifier may be a great overall price and dehumidifier to own for your home. With the GE name and Energy Star seal backed behind the product, you are likely to have a product that will last for years to come. The air in your home will be kept free from moisture and any possible bacteria or mold formations will be prevented with this GE dehumidifier.

Thinking about a 12vdc power supply? Or, maybe 12v electric motors?

Energy Star Windows & Doors

Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights

Want more from your windows? Ask for ENERGY STAR.

ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights save you energy and money, increase the comfort of your home, and protect your valuable possessions from sun damage. They are also better for the environment because lowering your energy use means less air pollution from power plants.

Save money and energy.

Replacing single-paned windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows or choosing ENERGY STAR overthe typical clear-glass double-paned alternative can save a significant amount of money on your energy bill.

Say goodbye to winter drafts and sweating in the summer sun.

Thanks to a host of new technologies, ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, making you more comfortable.

ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights do more than just lower energy bills – they deliver more comfort, create less condensation, and protect your valuables from sun damage better than conventional clear-glass double-paned alternatives. By lowering your energy use, these windows are also better for the environment: The less energy you use, the less air pollution power plants produce.

Protection from Winter Chills

On cold winter nights, do you avoid seats near the window? Do drafts chase you from room to room? When the mercury drops to single digits, even tightly sealed traditional double-paned windows can still make you shiver. The cold, inside surface of an inefficient window pulls heat away from your body, so you can feel chilly in a sweater with the thermostat at 70 degrees. With ENERGY STAR qualified windows, the inside window glass stays warmer, so you can relax in your window seat even when the temperature outside dips well below freezing.

Shielding from Summer Heat

In summer, do your windows seem like giant heat lamps? Are you denied your view because you have to keep your blinds perpetually closed? A typical double-paned, clear-glass window allows approximately 75 percent of the sun’s heat into your home, almost as much as a single-paned window. Windows qualified for ENERGY STAR in the North/Central, South/Central and Southern ENERGY STAR Climate Zones transmit only 30 to 55 percent of the sun’s heat, usually without noticeably reducing the visible light. You get the light but a lot less heat. So you can relax and enjoy the view in summer too.

Protection for Valuable Interiors

Your favorite photograph, half a loveseat, your Persian rug, even your flooring can fade or discolor after repeated exposure to direct sunlight. An ENERGY STAR qualified window with Low or Moderate Solar Gain Low-E coatings--the same coatings that keep out the summer heat--can reduce fading by up to 75 percent. These coatings are like sunscreen for your house, blocking damaging ultraviolet light without noticeably reducing visible light.

Reduced Condensation

When you open your curtains on winter mornings is the ice or fog you see on the inside or the outside? If an inefficient window or window frame gets too cold, water can condense or even freeze on the interior surface and then pool on the sill. Over time, chronic condensation can damage sills, cause paint to crack, and encourage the growth of mold. Advanced frame, glass coating, spacer and other technologies enable ENERGY STAR qualified windows to keep the inner surface of the glass and frame warmer, reducing the potential for condensation and ensuring a clearer view on winter mornings.

Don’t Forget the Last “Window”

In most homes the air leaks and unsealed gaps under doors and around pipes allow as much heat in or out as a wide-open window. Make your home more comfortable and efficient with Home Sealing.

Protect your home’s interior

Many ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights act like sunscreen for your house, protecting your photographs, artwork, furniture, carpets, and wood floors from sun damage.

Buy with confidence.

Every ENERGY STAR qualified window, door, and skylight is independently certified to perform at levels that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ask for ENERGY STAR.

To purchase the most efficient window for your home, ask for products that are ENERGY STAR qualified in your Climate Zone. To learn more, see the window purchasing tips.

Confirm the ENERGY STAR Label

Before the new product is installed, check for the ENERGY STAR label and make sure you have received the correct product.

Windows should display an official ENERGY STAR label (examples below) or equivalent custom label, next to the NFRC label. There are a variety of custom labels, but all should include the same elements as the official label:

The ENERGY STAR Certification Mark

A map showing where the product is qualified

A qualification statement

Seal and insulate with Home Sealing. Sealing your home’s envelope is one of the most cost-effective ways to lower your home’s energy bills and improve your comfort.

What’s in a pane - or two?

All energy efficient windows have at least two panes, but not all double-paned windows are energy efficient. Twenty years ago, double-paned meant energy efficient; today, advanced technologies have enabled the development of windows that are much more efficient than traditional clear-glass double-paned windows. For maximum energy savings, don’t count panes; count on ENERGY STAR.

Have Windows Properly Installed

Proper installation is critical for achieving full product performance and avoiding water damage. Windows, doors and skylights should be installed by trained installers according to manufacturer instructions. Many manufacturer warranties are void if the product is not installed according to instructions. When hiring a contractor, interview candidates and ask for references. The Federal Trade Commission recommends questions to ask potential contractors . (new document) If installation requires scraping lead-based paint, be sure to take proper precautions.

Source: www.energystar.gov

S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows is Maryland's leading company in roofing and maintenance-free home exteriors. Family-owned and operated since 1980, S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows provides high-quality exterior home workmanship and customer service that is among the best in the industry. We offer maintenance-free home exteriors including roofing, siding, windows, doors, gutters and downspouts, custom trim/wrap, and decks.

To learn more visit SKRoofing.com.

Energy Star Builders

To become a qualified ENERGY STAR builder, a builder must construct a home that meets energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes must be at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and contain additional energy-saving features that typically make the new home 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

The ENERGY STAR label identifies a home as having passed all energy efficiency guidelines. Builders realize that homebuyers are increasingly interested in the value of green homes and energy efficiency is the place to start. This is because the energy used to run the home is often from the burning of fossil fuels from power plants. The burning of fossil fuels contributes to smog, acid rain, and risks of global warming. That is why it is so important to use less energy which equals less air pollution. With the benefits of ENERGY STAR, many home builders are choosing to partner with ENERGY STAR. The best way to make sure a new home is energy efficient is to look for the blue ENERGY STAR label, which is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency.

Any home that meet EPA's guidelines and is three stories or less can earn the ENERGY STAR label including: single family, attached, manufactured homes, and low-rise multi-family homes, modular construction , log homes, and concrete homes. ENERGY STAR qualified new homes can contain a diversity of 'tried-and-true' energy efficient features that improved home quality, homeowner comfort, and lower energy demand while reduced air pollution.

Many home builders are realizing the benefits of building ENERGY STAR homes. For example D.R. Horton needed an edge to be successful in this challenging market. D.R Horton accomplished this by partnering with ENERGY STAR. They realized they must build the most energy efficient homes in the area to gain a leg up on the competition. This strategy not only made D.R Horton successful but benefited the homeowners' as well with providing them energy efficient homes that saves them money on their monthly energy bill. Now D.R. Horton new homes feature 100 percent ENERGY STAR qualified fixture package!

Many ENERGY STAR home builders have been recognized by ENERGY STAR for their energy efficient building processes. Aston Woods Homes won the 2009 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This award distinguishes the important contribution Ashton Woods Homes has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 1,202 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. These 1,202 new homes will save homeowner about $537,294 on utility bills every year!

Another winner of the Leadership in Housing Award is SummerHill Homes. SummerHill Homes has committed to building energy efficient homes. With ENERGY STAR qualified new homes for sale offering new homebuyers all the features they want in a home as well as the benefits of a green home. Plus energy-saving features come standard with SummerHill Homes like, energy efficient insulation systems, energy efficient windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed heating and cooling systems, third-party verification of energy performance, and energy efficient products. Plus not to mention that such appliances qualify for an energy tax credit!

 Home ENERGY STAR builders are realizing the value of adding energy efficient products within the new home. Pulte Homes new communities now include Energy Star appliances as a standard in each new home for sale. According to the Department of Energy, all Energy Star appliances use 10-15% less energy and water then standard models when certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Appliances and lighting account for more than one-third of the average homeowner's utility bill according to the DOE. So including energy efficient appliances can translate into a considerable amount of savings. In Las Vegas, Pulte new homes for sale features LEED certification, is built under the Environments for Living® - Green Certified program, and is equipted with solar power panel roofs!

Many home builders are making sure to be ENERGY STAR qualified with energy cost on the rise, but one builder has been building green home before it was trendy. With over a decade of building new green homes for sale and energy-efficient new homes, Pardee Homes has been a leader in building green homes with more than 24 LivingSmart and 14 California Green Builder-certified new communities (no wounder why California is one of the top Green building states). Starting in 1998 when Pardee Homes helped pioneer the EPA's Energy Star® program, by building energy-efficient homes that exceeded code by 15% or more. In 2009 Pardee Homes pledged 100% commitment to building 'LivingSmart' homes in all future developments

If you are looking for a new homes or a green home, use the above information to help you in your search.