With ENERGY STAR, homeowners can save up to 20 percent on annual energy costs by making energy-efficient improvements to their heating and cooling systems.

As temperatures drop this fall, EPA is encouraging Americans to save energy, reduce utility bills and protect the environment by increasing the energy efficiency of their home heating systems.

The average household spends $1,500 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. EPA estimates that if one in 10 U.S. households used heating and cooling equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR label, the change would prevent an estimated 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sealing leaks that allow air to escape the home and replacing old heating equipment with high-efficiency models can significantly reduce annual energy costs. Other steps also cut costs and improve comfort: tuning up heating and cooling equipment annually; regularly replacing the air filters; checking and sealing the duct system; and using a programmable thermostat's multiple temperature settings to get the most savings.

EPA's Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating provides timely information and more details about how to save energy and money this winter, while helping to protect the environment.

When heating equipment reaches 15 or more years of age, EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommend that homeowners consider a more energy-efficient replacement. Many furnaces, heat pumps, boilers and thermostats meet ENERGY STAR's strict standards for energy efficiency set by the EPA and DOE.

More than 9,000 organizations have become ENERGY STAR partners and are committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR and additional steps to save money and reduce air pollution, call 1-888-STAR-YES or visit ENERGY STAR online.

10/29/2004