It's safe to say that even with the unpredictability of the weather recently, a lot of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to determine 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 turns to being cold consistently.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a bit of familiarization and understanding of the system itself. One of the most critical tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is noted by a percentage that lets you know about the type of efficiency you can expect out of 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 learn 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 that means is that with every passing year you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. One 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 that goes towards fuel, only $75 is being used to heat your home. Again, your furnace service team member can help you determine the numbers specific to your furnace and your average bill, but hopefully we've been able to offer a relatively clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that is involved in your decision in choosing a new furnace or staying with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can drastically inhibit the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to make sure you got a closer 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 shout at 803-265-4208.