U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Office – Energy Open House

Heating and Cooling

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Regular service and maintenance of HVAC systems more than pays for itself.
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Energy Facts: Heating and cooling typically account for a whopping 46% of a household's utility bill. What's more, U.S. heating and cooling systems emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, adding to global climate change.

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Scout It Out: Are your ducts properly sealed? Many aren't. Have an energy auditor check.

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Tips: No matter what kind of system is installed in the home, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining your equipment. To maximize energy savings, it takes a whole-house approach: regular maintenance, appropriate insulation and thermostat settings, air sealing—and an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. This approach can cut your related energy costs from 20% to 50%.

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Tools: Use ENERGY STAR®'s furnace savings calculator to estimate the costs of using a conventional unit versus an ENERGY STAR qualified model.

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Living Well: Replace furnace filters regularly and have your heating and cooling system serviced annually.