It's safe to say that even with the random weather recently, the majority of the country has at least experienced a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to figure out what's going to occur next with the weather, it's important to be sure that you've had furnace service done 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 system itself. One of the most critical tidbits to know is your furnace's AFUE (Annual Furnace Utilization Efficiency). AFUE is denoted as a percentage that informs you of the type of efficiency you'll get from your system. If you're not sure about your current furnace's AFUE, be sure to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the team member can help you determine 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 created today. What it boils down to is that with every passing winter you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. An easy way to think about it is by connecting 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 figure out the numbers specific to your furnace and your regular bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a somewhat clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that goes in to your decision in choosing a new furnace or staying with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can severely inhibit 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 are curious about furnaces, furnace service or any number of other home comfort questions, give us a call at 479-308-8176.