It's safe to say that even with the crazy weather recently, most of the country has at least had a little bit of winter. As we keep trying to guess what's going to take place next with the weather, it's important to make certain that you've had furnace service completed when the weather finally switches to being cold consistently.
Part of owning and using a furnace involves some familiarization and understanding of the system itself. One of the most noteworthy 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, make sure to ask during your next furnace service appointment and the technician can help you learn it's rating.
What Does AFUE Mean for You?
If you have an older furnace, your AFUE is probably 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 that's being wasted, not to heat your home. One way to think about it is by linking 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 offer a somewhat clear picture for you.
Of course there is more that is involved in your decision in buying a new furnace or continuing 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 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 270-358-3167.