It's safe to say that even with the random weather recently, a lot of the country has at least dealt with a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to determine what's going to occur next with the weather, it's important to make sure that you've had furnace service scheduled when the weather finally flips the switch to being cold constantly.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves a bit of familiarization and understanding of the product itself. One of the most critical 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 expected from your system. If you're uncertain about your current furnace's AFUE, make sure to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the tech 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 that means is that with every passing winter you're paying for fuel which then is being wasted, not to heat your home. A simple 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 spent on 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 regular bill, but hopefully we've been able to paint a semi clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that is involved in your decision in choosing a new furnace or staying with an annual furnace service plan on your current system. Over time, efficiency levels can drastically inhibit the comfort and cost of heating your home, so we wanted to make sure you got a closer 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 shout at 641-316-9803.