It's safe to say that even with the random weather recently, most of the country has at least dealt with a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to figure out what's going to happen next with the weather, it's important to make certain that you've had furnace service done when the weather finally switches to being cold all the time.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a little bit of familiarization and understanding of the product itself. One of the most noteworthy tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is recognized as a percentage that lets you know about the type of efficiency you'll get from your system. If you're not sure about your current furnace's AFUE, don't forget to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the tech can help you determine 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 it boils down to is that with every passing season you're paying for fuel that's 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 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 regular bill, but hopefully we've been able to offer a somewhat clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that goes in to your decision in picking 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 be 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 304-707-0600.