Did you know that all furnaces have efficiency ratings that tell you how effectively the unit turns energy into heat? All furnaces are tested and assigned AFUE ratings which are designed to help you understand heating efficiency and make the best heating choice for your home and family.
Our team is here to help you, whether you’re looking at a new installation or need furnace service in Saint Peters, MO. You can give us a call for all of your heating means. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about AFUE ratings, what they mean, and how to select a high-efficiency furnace.
What Is an AFUE Rating?
AFUE is an acronym that is short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It measures the amount of energy that a furnace consumes compared to the amount of heat is able to put out using that energy. The higher the rating, the better the overall efficiency.
AFUE ratings go up to 99% with each number representing a percentage. The minimum AFUE rating allowed in the United States is 80. This means that a furnace must be able to turn 80% of the energy that it consumes into heat for your home.
Furnaces are tested against rigorous real-life conditions to come up with an efficiency rating. Actual efficiency can vary based on your usage, but the ratings should be very accurate. When our team visits your home for installation, we can also offer tips for using your furnace so that you can maximize efficiency and save even more on your monthly energy costs.
When Is a Furnace High Efficiency?
A furnace with a rating of 90 is considered high efficiency because it only loses around 10% of the energy that it consumes. No furnace is 100% energy efficient, so the highest rating that you can expect to get out of a furnace is between 97 and 98%.
High-efficiency furnaces don’t need to use as much energy to produce heat. This also means that they are not working quite as hard as less efficient furnaces. When your furnace works very efficiently, it takes on less strain and results in less wear and tear on the components.
This can help extend your furnace’s lifespan so it can last your family for longer than average. You may spend more on a high-efficiency furnace, but you can expect to get more years out of the unit and save on monthly energy costs over its entire lifespan.
Tips for Choosing a Furnace
When you are selecting a furnace for your home, first you need to decide whether you want a gas or electric model. Each one offers unique pros and cons, and it really comes down to your personal preference. No matter what type of furnace you want, we encourage you to go with a high-efficiency model. We can review your options with you and help you make a decision that best fits your unique needs and expectations.
Warm People, Cool Ideas, Quality Solutions. Give our team at Swiss Air Heating and Cooling a call today to schedule an appointment for heating service.
