It's safe to say that even with the crazy 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 take place next with the weather, it's important to be sure that you've had furnace service completed when the weather finally flips the switch to being cold all the time.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a little bit of familiarization and understanding of the furnace itself. One of the most critical 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 you'll get 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 tech 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 available today. What that means is that with every passing season you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. A simple way to think about it is by linking 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 technician can help you figure out the numbers specific to your furnace and your normal bill, but hopefully we've been able to provide 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 greatly inhibit the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to make sure you got a better 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 call at 435-753-5515.