It's safe to say that even with the crazy weather recently, most of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to guess what's going to take place next with the weather, it's important to make certain that you've had furnace service scheduled when the weather finally switches to being cold all the time.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a little bit of familiarization and understanding of the product itself. One of the most important tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is recognized as a percentage that tells you what type of efficiency expected from your system. If you're uncertain about your current furnace's AFUE, make sure to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the technician 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 created today. What it boils down to is that with every passing winter you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. An easy way to think about it is by relating your AFUE percentage to dollars. If your furnace has an AFUE of 75%, that means for every $100 spent on 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 average bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a somewhat clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that factors in to your decision in buying a new furnace or sticking to an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can severely affect the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to be sure you got a closer look at one of the more important considerations for furnaces. If you have any questions about furnaces, furnace service or any number of other home comfort questions, give us a ring at 847-362-0262.