The average family spends $1,400 a year on energy bills, nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners who choose energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment that is properly sized and installed can save as much as 20 percent on their annual energy costs. ENERGY STAR products use less energy, which means less air pollution and a cleaner environment. If 1 in 10 U.S. households used heating and cooling equipment that has earned the ENERGY STAR, the change would prevent an estimated 17 billion pounds of air pollution.

The "Cool Change" campaign offers homeowners tips to realize big savings -- for their wallet and the environment. Recommendations include replacing old cooling equipment with high- efficiency ENERGY STAR-qualified equipment; checking and sealing duct systems; replacing air filters; and sealing homes to keep excess air from escaping through leaky attics, doors and windows. For a copy of EPA's Guide to Energy-Efficient Cooling and Heating and more information about home cooling system efficiency improvements, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/hvacguide< /A> .

EPA established ENERGY STAR in 1992 as a voluntary, market- based partnership to reduce air pollution by giving consumers simple energy-efficient choices. Today, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR is featured on more than 40 types of products, from light bulbs to major appliances to new homes and buildings. 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, call 1-888-STAR-YES or visit: http:// www.energystar.gov .

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