Do you look for the Energy Star? logo when you shop for your major home appliances? You should. Spending money on energy-efficient appliances will end up saving you money throughout the year. The same rings true for your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

When it's time to buy a new furnace, you should begin by choosing the most energy-efficient unit you can afford. Although this decision will cost more at the time of purchase, a high-efficiency furnace will save you money throughout the heating season.

When shopping for a high-efficiency furnace, choose one with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 90 percent or higher. AFUE measures a furnace's overall energy performance. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the unit and the greater the amount of heat it delivers for your money. In addition, furnaces rated at 95 percent AFUE and higher qualify for tax credits from the federal government.

Premium furnaces offer unique high-tech solutions to provide high efficiency and comfort. By modulating the gas valve from 35 to 100 percent (similar to turning up the burner on a gas stove) and varying the speed of the indoor fan, modulating furnaces compensate for the outdoor weather to keep your home warm, comfortable and quiet. As a result, it uses less energy when the heating demand on your home is low.

Other furnace designs offer multistage firing, which provides improved efficiency over single-stage models by adjusting the firing rate between high and low. When the heating demand is high, the second stage, high firing rate is employed.

Some modulating furnaces, including the Coleman? Echelon? modulating variable-speed furnace from Johnson Controls, are rated at 95 percent AFUE and are equipped with an additional efficiency feature-an electronically commutated motor (ECM). The ECM offers nearly continuous, gradual fan speed operation for fewer stops and starts. The Echelon modulating furnace is up to 24 times quieter than conventional single-stage furnace systems and may use less energy than a 100-watt lightbulb, while standard blower motors, on average, consume nearly 500 watts.

Knowing your options allows you to make a more informed decision. Your local HVAC dealer can help you select the furnace that best fits your needs.