Have you checked your new furnace AFUE rating? Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings are commonly used in the HVAC industry to gauge how efficient a furnace converts the energy in its fuel into heat over the course of a year. If you’re thinking about buying a new furnace, pay attention to this particular rating.
To figure out how your new furnace AFUE rating translates into performance, it’s important to know how AFUE works:
AFUE is always measured as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more efficient your furnace will operate. A 90 percent AFUE rating means that 90 percent of the furnace’s fuel energy goes into heating the home, though in actuality it’s probably a bit less than that. AFUE doesn’t cover heat losses through the duct system or furnace piping.
By law, new gas furnaces must have a minimum AFUE rating of at least 78 percent. These days most new furnaces are far more efficient, however, with the most efficient models boast an AFUE of 98 percent. This stands in stark contrast to the 60 percent AFUE that was common among gas furnaces built back in the early 1970s.
Furnaces with high AFUE ratings usually cost more, but these costs usually can be recouped through lower fuel bills over the furnace’s lifetime. This, however, depends on your home’s climate and overall efficiency, as well as gas and electricity rates. In the Twin Cities area, with our long, cold winters, high efficiency does pay off when it comes to furnaces.
High-efficiency furnaces are also less likely to produce large amounts of emissions, making them safer overall for the environment.
As stated, given the winter climate of Minnesota and the Upper Great Lakes in general, it makes sense to purchase a new furnace with a high AFUE rating. By keeping your new furnace in great shape, you’ll be able to make up its initial price through cost savings on your energy bills.
To find out more about new furnace AFUE ratings, contact the seasoned professionals at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. Since 1974, we’ve proudly offered our heating and air conditioning services throughout the Twin Cities area.
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Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about AFUE ratings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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