It's safe to say that even with the unpredictability of the weather recently, most of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to figure out what's going to happen next with the weather, it's important to make sure that you've had furnace service done when the weather finally flips the switch to being cold all the time.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a bit of familiarization and understanding of the furnace itself. One of the most noteworthy tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is denoted as a percentage that informs you of the type of efficiency expected from your system. If you're unsure about your current furnace's AFUE, don't forget to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the team member can help you determine it's rating.
What Does AFUE Mean for You?
If you have an older furnace, your AFUE is likely quite a bit lower than the furnaces available today. What that means is that with every passing year you're paying for fuel that ends up being wasted, not to heat your home. An easy way to think about it is by linking your AFUE percentage to dollars. If your furnace has an AFUE of 75%, that means for every $100 that goes towards fuel, only $75 is being used to heat your home. Again, your furnace service tech can help you determine the numbers specific to your furnace and your normal bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a semi clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that goes in to your decision in picking a new furnace or staying with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can drastically impact the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to be certain that you got a clearer look at one of the more important considerations for furnaces. If you are curious about furnaces, furnace service or any number of other home comfort questions, give us a call at 530-885-8081.