It's safe to say that even with the unpredictability of the weather recently, a lot of the country has at least had a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to determine what's going to occur next with the weather, it's important to make sure that you've had furnace service done when the weather finally switches to being cold constantly.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a bit of familiarization and understanding of the furnace 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 tells you what type of efficiency expected from your system. If you're not sure about your current furnace's AFUE, make sure 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 it boils down to is that with every passing season you're paying for fuel that's being wasted, not to heat your home. An easy way to think about it is by connecting 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 figure out the numbers specific to your furnace and your average bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a relatively clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that factors in to your decision in choosing a new furnace or continuing with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can drastically affect the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to be sure you got a closer 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 ring at 715-301-0256.