It's safe to say that even with the unpredictability of the weather recently, the majority of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to guess what's going to occur next with the weather, it's important to be sure that you've had furnace service completed when the weather finally flips the switch to being cold consistently.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a little bit of familiarization and understanding of the furnace itself. One of the most important tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is noted by a percentage that lets you know about the type of efficiency you can expect out of your system. If you're unsure about your current furnace's AFUE, don't forget 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 likely quite a bit lower than the furnaces out there now. What it boils down to is that with every passing season you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. One way to think about it is by relating 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 tech can help you determine the numbers specific to your furnace and your average bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a semi clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that factors in to your decision in buying a new furnace or staying with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can severely impact the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to be sure you got a clearer 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 shout at 402-438-7992.