Furnaces
ENERGY STAR certified furnaces have the following features:
- Different gas furnace efficiency requirements and labels are used for different regions of the country.
- Certified gas furnaces in the southern half of the U.S., where homes require less heat, will be labeled with a unique "U.S. South" ENERGY STAR logo. These furnaces will be up to 12 percent more efficient than standard models and can save an average of $36 in energy costs per year.
- Certified gas furnaces in the northern half of the U.S. will be labeled with the standard ENERGY STAR logo. These furnaces will be up to 16 percent more energy efficient than baseline models and can save an average of $94 in energy costs per year.
- Certified gas furnaces in the southern half of the U.S., where homes require less heat, will be labeled with a unique "U.S. South" ENERGY STAR logo. These furnaces will be up to 12 percent more efficient than standard models and can save an average of $36 in energy costs per year.
- Certified oil furnaces are up to 4 percent more energy efficient than baseline models and can save an average of $66 in energy costs per year.
Learn about the benefits of efficient wood stoves for heating.
Current Specification Effective Date: February 1, 2013
Furnaces originally qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in April, 1995.
ENERGY STAR certified furnaces have higher Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings and higher efficiency blower motors, making them more efficient than standard models.
What else should I look for when buying a furnace?
If you've decided that you need to purchase a new furnace, learn how to hire a contractor and get an ENERGY STAR Quality Installation.
Remember, even though these products can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference will be paid back over time through lower energy bills.
You can get better heating and cooling performance at home with ENERGY STAR home sealing (insulation and air sealing) and duct sealing.
Consider regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system to prevent future problems and unwanted costs.