It's safe to say that even with the crazy weather recently, a lot of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to figure out what's going to occur next with the weather, it's important to make certain that you've had furnace service completed when the weather finally flips the switch to being cold consistently.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a little bit of familiarization and understanding of the product 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 tells you what type of efficiency you can expect out of your system. If you're not sure about your current furnace's AFUE, be sure to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the tech can help you figure out 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 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 you spend on 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 paint a somewhat clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that is involved in your decision in picking a new furnace or continuing with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can greatly affect the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to make sure you got a clearer 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 410-228-4822.