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How to Read the EnergyGuide Label

Energy Smart Shopping The ENERGY STARÂ® Label When you shop for a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STARÂ® label. ENERGY STAR products usually exceed minimum federal standards by a substantial amount. The ENERGY STAR logo is on all qualified products that meet specific standards for energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR-qualified products exceed the federal minimum standards for efficiency and quality — sometimes significantly. Look for the label on appliances, electronics, water heaters, windows, and other…

How BTUs and EERs Work

How BTUs and EERs Work Most air conditioners have their capacity rated in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. A BTU is, generally, the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree F. Specifically, a BTU is 1,055 joules, but the first definition is easier to understand in real-life terms. One “ton”, in heating and cooling terms, is 12,000 BTUs. A typical window air conditioner that you find at…

FAQs About Radon

Frequently Asked Questions About Radon Exposure to Radon How does radon get into the environment? Radon-222 is the radioactive decay product of radium-226, which is found at low concentrations in almost all rock and soil. Radon is generated in rock and soil, and it creeps through cracks or spaces between particles up to the outside air. Although outdoor concentrations of radon are typically low, about 0.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/l) of air, it can seep…

Energy Efficiency Ratings & Terms

Efficiency Ratings The materials from which a building is constructed, as well as the systems and appliances installed there,Â can dramatically affect the amount of energy that a building will consume over its lifetime. To help customers compare the potential impact of one to another, efficiency ratings have been devised for many building components and energy systems. A variety of energy ratings now abound, which can be confusing to the consumers these ratings were intended…

Dryer Fire Facts

Dryer Fire Safety Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air,…

Combustion Appliances – Indoor Air Pollution

What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution Hazards may be associated with almost all types of appliances. The purpose of this booklet is to answer some common questions you may have about the potential for one specific type of hazard – indoor air pollution – associated with one class of appliances – combustion appliances. Combustion appliances are those which burn fuels for warmth, cooking, or decorative purposes. Typical fuels are gas,…