# When Upgrading HVAC Equipment and Home Appliances, Choose the Energy Star > When you need to upgrade the major appliances in your home, choosing Energy Star qualified products will help lower your utility bills. [![energy star](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/energy-star.jpg)](http://shutterstock.com)When you need to upgrade the major appliances in your home, choosing Energy Star qualified products will help you save energy in the long run and lower your utility bills. These appliances may cost a bit more at first, but the investment will pay you back. The federal Energy Star program was established to make it easy for consumers to choose products that use energy wisely. [![energy star](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/energy-star.jpg)](http://shutterstock.com) The appliances in your home that use the most energy are your heating and cooling systems. To earn the Energy Star designation, HVAC systems have to demonstrate that they use less energy under a variety of climatic conditions. The following Energy Star minimum efficiency standards apply to HVAC equipment: ## Furnaces The [annual fuel utilization efficiency](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/upgrading-your-furnace-compare-the-afue-ratings-but-run-the-numbers-too.html) (AFUE) of a gas furnace must be 95 percent or higher to earn the Energy Star logo in the Northern U.S. (the minimum is 90 percent in the South). A furnace with AFUE 90 percent converts nine-tenths of its fuel into heat for your home, instead of wasting it up the chimney. The minimum AFUE stands at 78 percent, so choosing Energy Star heating appliances for our region makes sense. ## Cooling Systems Central air conditioning systems need to have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14 and higher. The minimum stands at 13, and each single increase in the SEER lowers energy consumption by 10 percent when tested in laboratory conditions. ## Heat Pumps Since these appliances also cool, they must have a SEER of 14 or higher to get the Energy Star. For heating efficiency, the heating season performance factor (HSPF) must be 8.0 or more. In our New England climate, choosing a [heat pump with a higher HSPF](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/importance-of-seer-and-hspf.html) is probably you main goal, since winter heating requires more energy than summer cooling. ## Installation Factors Unlike other appliances, how the HVAC equipment is sized and installed make a significant difference in energy costs and the system's service life. The contractor should size them using [Manual J software](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/installing-new-hvac-equipment-load-calculation-first.html) and follow the Energy Star program for its installation. For more information about choosing Energy Star appliances in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts, please contact us at [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html). *Images via [Shutterstock.com](http://Shutterstock.com)* ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. Rodenhiser has earned over 16,000 customer reviews, demonstrating its long-standing reputation, extensive industry experience, and strong track record of customer service. **Nice People…Great Service** ## Page information - [Canonical URL: https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/upgrade-with-energy-star.html](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/upgrade-with-energy-star.html)