How To Read That Yellow EnergyGuide Label

Unlike tags applied by manufacturers full of meaningless inventory tracking serial numbers and other information, the information on the EnergyGuide label is designed with consumers in mind.

Where are EnergyGuide labels found?

You can find these labels on products including:

• Central air conditioners
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators/freezers
• Boilers
• Heat pumps

Why are they there?

The EnergyGuide label is required by the federal government to provide consumers with energy efficiency information. Armed with the information on the label, you can make a well-informed purchase that will save money at the time of purchase, as well as over the life of the equipment.

What are the parts of an EnergyGuide label?

Here's a look at the anatomy of an EnergyGuide label:

• Across the top, under the large black EnergyGuide heading, is specific information about the equipment: Manufacturer, model, size, capacity and category. This information helps you to compare similar equipment.
• In the middle of the label, the large, bold, black number shows the average annual cost of operating the equipment. This amount is determined by the national average energy cost, which is updated every five years.
• Just beneath the cost, there is a sliding scale representing the operating costs of models in the same category. Use this for comparing the long-term costs of different models
• At the bottom, this piece of information reveals the estimated yearly electrical usage. Use this figure to determine more closely its operating costs, and the approximate time to recover the initial cost of the unit.
• Finally, if the unit qualifies as Energy Star rated, that symbol will appear in the lower right-hand corner.

When shopping for HVAC equipment, be sure to read the EnergyGuide label to get the most for you money. For more information, contact the experts at Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts for more than 80 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. .  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

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