DOE (Department of Energy)

By Anne Fonda

The acronym DOE is widely used for various things, but for residential HVAC purposes, it stands for the U.S. Department of Energy.

The United States Department of Energy was created in 1977, but it traces its roots to the United States’ effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. Today, the DOE oversees energy regulations and funding for various projects.

The Energy Department’s website states its mission is “to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.”

That’s quite a mission statement. But how does the DOE affect your daily life? In some big ways. Let’s take your HVAC system as an example.

The US Congress has authorized the Department of Energy to create and enforce energy conservation standards and test procedures for residential appliances and commercial equipment.

Those standards and test procedures include residential HVAC equipment such as heat pumps, air conditioners, and furnaces. The latest efficiency standards for new HVAC equipment went into effect on January 1, 2023.

Essentially, new equipment must be more efficient than older equipment. The latest DOE standards also upgraded testing methods for measuring heating and cooling efficiency. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of a cooling unit measurement became SEER2. Similarly, the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) rating that measures a heat pump’s heating efficiency became HSPF2.

Increased energy efficiency in an HVAC system can save you money on your heating and cooling bills. A more efficient system can maintain the right temperature while using less energy than an older system.

Learn more about HVAC terms for energy efficiency and why they matter.

You may have heard of ENERGY STAR® or seen the blue labels, but you might not know that it’s a joint venture between the DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For our HVAC products, we include information on the product pages if a unit is ENERGY STAR®-qualified. If it is, it can also mean a product is eligible for HVAC tax credits or heat pump rebates.

The DOE website, energy.gov, provides all kinds of information to help you reduce your energy consumption and save money on energy bills. Under the Consumer Savings section, you can find information on:

The Department of Energy is a trusted source of information for homeowners, contractors, and businesses.

You’re in the right place. From a new heat pump system to a whole-home humidifier and everything in between, we have multiple tiers of energy-efficient HVAC equipment you can rely on for durability.

Contact your local American Standard dealer for a free quote as well as product recommendations suited to your needs and budget.

A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Michael Morey, Smart Thermostat Product Manager