When you’re looking for a new furnace, there are multiple factors you want to take into account. While it’s important that you pay attention to energy efficiency ratings like annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), you don’t want it to be the only criteria you’re considering. A lot of different things can have an impact on the repercussions of your furnace replacement decision, so you want to be sure that you’re well informed before jumping into anything.
Though AFUE ratings shouldn’t be the only thing you’re looking at when choosing a new furnace, they are an excellent place to start. AFUE measures the energy efficiency of different furnaces. Specifically, it gauges how well a heating sys
tem is able to convert the fuel it’s using into actual heat for your home. The higher the rating, the less energy that’s going to waste and the more money you end up saving on monthly utility bills.
The lowest AFUE rating allowed on new furnaces currently is 78 percent, with the most efficient units reaching as high as 97. Furnaces higher up on the scale are generally going to be more expensive initially, but they often recoup those costs by saving money on energy bills and repair costs down the road.
Before you rush into any decision regarding your furnace replacement, though, it’s wise to take the time to contact a trusted local HVAC contractor and have them run some numbers for you. By plugging in certain criteria including AFUE ratings, energy costs in your area, and several aspects of your home, they can accurately predict the future costs for each of the different furnaces you’re considering. With this, you can have a more accurate picture of the situation before you decide which furnace is right for your home.
So, run the numbers and pay attention to efficiency ratings when replacing your furnace. For HVAC needs in the Twin Cities area, contact us at Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about buying a furnace and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!