Looking For A New Furnace? Don't Forget About AFUE

As you shop around for your next furnace, chances are you're thinking about the comfort and convenience features it should have. That's a good thing, but it's all too easy to forget about how energy efficient it should be. This is where the annual fuel utilization efficiency rating - or AFUE, for short - comes in handy.

The following explains how AFUE works and what you can expect as you use AFUE ratings to select your home's next furnace.

How It Affects Your Purchase

Upon quick glance, AFUE offers a convenient snapshot of the performance and energy efficiency you can expect out of your new furnace. AFUE ratings are usually gained by looking at a furnace's heat output in relation to the total amount of fuel it uses. A furnace with an AFUE of 90 percent, for instance, is capable of converting 90 percent of its used fuel into usable heat energy.

The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the furnace will be. Most condensing furnaces offer an AFUE of 95 percent or higher due to their efficient fuel usage, while some electric furnaces offer a 100-percent AFUE due to their design.

Keep in mind that AFUE ratings don't account for heat losses through the duct system or chimney. Such heat losses could add up to 35 percent or more of your furnace's energy output, so it pays to have an efficient ductwork design and exhaust controls.

What You Should Look For

When looking for a new furnace, it's usually a good idea to find one that meets or exceeds the minimum AFUE rating mandated by the Department of Energy. These basic minimums tend to vary depending on the type of furnace and the region it'll be sold and used in. For instance, gas-fired furnaces sold in the Southeast U.S. must meet a minimum AFUE of 90 percent, whereas a furnace sold in the Northern U.S. must have a 95 percent minimum AFUE.

You don't have to worry about your furnace's AFUE rating being hidden away in some far-flung corner or not being shown at all. Every furnace currently sold in the United States is not only required to have a AFUE rating, but that rating must be displayed on the bright yellow EnergyGuide label found on all new furnaces. You can find your furnace's AFUE rating within the "Efficiency Rating" box on the lower half of the label. For more information, contact companies like Always Ready Repair.

About Me

Warm and Cozy or Cool and Comfortable with HVAC

Hi, my name is Kari, and as a mom, I think it is my responsibility to make sure my family is comfortable. Some days that means making cookies for a sad kid or painting our walls in inspiring colors. Other days, it means troubleshooting the HVAC system to make sure we are all warm and cozy in the winter and cool and comfortable during the summer. If you want to read about HVAC, get tips on picking the right system or learn to troubleshoot issues, you have found the right blog! Please, get comfortable and enjoy reading! I hope these posts inspire and inform you!

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