It's safe to say that even with the random weather recently, the majority of the country has at least dealt with a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to guess what's going to happen next with the weather, it's important to make sure that you've had furnace service completed when the weather finally turns to being cold consistently.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves some familiarization and understanding of the furnace itself. One of the most important tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is noted by a percentage that informs you of the type of efficiency expected from your system. If you're uncertain 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 probably quite a bit lower than the furnaces out there now. What it means for you is that with every passing season you're paying for fuel that ends up being wasted, not to heat your home. A simple 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 figure out the numbers specific to your furnace and your normal bill, but hopefully we've been able to offer a semi clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that factors in to your decision in picking 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 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 shout at 478-202-3170.