With The Energy Star Yardstick, You Can Assess How Your Home Measures Up

With The Energy Star Yardstick, You Can Assess How Your Home Measures Up

When shopping for appliances, electronics or other items that consume energy, you will inevitably encounter the Energy Star label. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is dedicated to helping consumers save money on energy purchases and improving the environment through the use of energy-efficiency products.

An Energy Star label is assigned by the program. It assures consumers that products are energy efficient and will save both power and money. By using Energy Star-certified appliances and equipment, you can save about a third on your energy expenses while reducing your home’s greenhouse gas emissions by a similar amount.

The Energy Star program provides an online tool for assessing the amount of energy used in your home: the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick. This calculator compares your energy use with energy expenditures in similar homes in the Pasadena area. It shows where your energy consumption is higher or lower than average. It also shows you where you’re starting from as you work to decrease energy consumption, reduce seasonal heating and cooling bills, and improve home comfort.

To use the Home Energy Yardstick, gather expense information from your previous 12 months of energy bills or get a summary from your utility company. Determine the type of energy source your home uses, such as natural gas, fuel oil or electricity. Finally, find your home’s square footage. The online Yardstick gives you an easy-to-use form where you can enter this information and other data, such as your ZIP code, number of residents, and energy cost and consumption totals.

Enter this information and click “Submit.” You will receive a detailed report on your home’s comparative energy use along with recommendations for improving its overall energy efficiency.

Since 1969, Air-Tro Inc. has provided design, installation, repair, and maintenance to customers in the greater Los Angeles area, including L.A. and Orange Counties, Riverside metro and San Bernardino County. Contact us todayfor more information on the Energy Star program and for help finding the Energy Star appliances and materials that will make your home more energy efficient.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about the energy star yardstick and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Air-Tro Inc. services the greater Los Angeles area as well as the metro areas of Riverside and San Bernardino County.