Education

Smart Buyer Tips

Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR

Sealing and insulating the “envelope” or “shell” of a home—its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors—is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a skilled contractor can save homeowners up to 20% on their heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by sealing and insulating. ENERGY STAR offers the following educational resources:

Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR Brochure
 (615KB)—This brochure shows homeowners how common home performance problems can often be fixed by sealing the home envelope and adding insulation.
Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR
 (2MB)/ en espanol (2MB)—This brochure educates homeowners about common techniques to make home envelope improvements.

Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling
As much as half of the energy used in a typical home goes to heating and cooling. So helping your customers make smart decisions about their home's heating and cooling system can have a big effect on their utility bills and comfort. ENERGY STAR offers the following materials:

Guide to Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling (708KB)— ENERGY STAR’s guidance on best practices for HVAC system maintenance and replacement.
Duct Sealing—Duct systems that are properly sealed and insulated can make homes much more comfortable and energy efficient. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of a home’s heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent. Use our Duct Sealing Brochure (1.13MB) about the benefits of this service.
Quality HVAC Installation
—The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has developed nationally recognized requirements for quality installation of HVAC systems (download requirements (815KB)).ACCA has also developed a nationally recognized standard for third-party verification of HVAC installations (download standard (2.1MB)).

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
We recommend ENERGY STAR qualified products like air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, windows, lighting, and appliances when jobs call for the replacement of these items. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR are a smart choice because the customer will save money on energy bills without sacrificing comfort or quality. Energy-efficient products are also a key part of a growing movement toward environmentally-friendly green remodeling.