Do You Have A Good AFUE Rating For Your Furnace?
If you are a homeowner, you probably know a little bit about your home’s furnace. The truth is most people don’t know enough about their furnace or the energy that it puts out. The energy output is measured by what is called an AFUE Rating (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). Read through our guide below to learn more about AFUE, including what it is exactly, and what a good AFUE rating is.
What Is AFUE?
Your AFUE rating for your furnace is essentially a number, between 0 and 100 percent that shows how efficiently your furnace is running. It tries to help the homeowner understand how much energy they are losing and how well the heat is being pushed throughout the house. The higher the number, the better your furnace is at heating your home. Knowing this rating can help you save money on your electric bill, and help you determine if it is time for a new furnace!
According to Trane, the way your AFUE rating is calculated is determined by dividing the total annual heat output in BTUs by the total annual energy input in BTUs.
So, What Should Your Rating Be?
The minimum required AFUE rating for a furnace is 80%. While a rating this low is typically found in a mid-level efficient furnace, high-efficiency systems typically have between a 90 and 98% rating, according to the Department of Energy.
With a higher AFUE rating, you will spend less money on heating your home throughout the year, and these savings can be in the hundreds of dollars when all is said and done.
How To Determine Your AFUE Rating
The Department of Energy requires that all furnaces have their AFUE rating displayed on them. This is to be sure that consumers are aware of the rating when they purchase the unit, and to be able to compare the ratings of different models. If you ever notice the yellow Energy Guide label that is found on most appliances, this is where you will find the furnace’s AFUE rating.
Overall, it is important to know your furnace’s AFUE rating because it can help you save money and not lose heat energy when you are heating your home. As we detailed above, anything above a 90% rating is considered high-efficiency and is always what you should shoot for. If your system is below 90% or getting older, it may be time for you to replace your current furnace system and get a new one.
This is where we come in at Same Day Heating and Air Conditioning! With our furnace tune ups, repairs, and replacements, we have you covered for all of your HVAC needs. Visit us today with any questions you may have. One of our certified HVAC professionals will be happy to help with all of your problems.
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