Near the lake in Northeast Ohio, even if you turn down the thermostat and put on your sweaters, the cost to heat your home through the winter can still be a lot of money. If you understand furnace efficiency ratings, you may be able to find ways to improve your heating system’s efficiency and save hundreds of dollars per year.
AFUE
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating measures how much energy used to power your furnace is converted into heat. An AFUE of 85 percent means that 85 percent of the fuel you use is converted into heat and 15 percent is wasted. Sources of waste include the chimney flue, other leaks around the furnace, and inefficient older models. Heat loss in ducts and piping is not calculated.
The legal minimum AFUE for a furnace installed in a permanently constructed home is 78 percent. Mid-range furnaces have AFUEs in the mid 80s, and the best furnaces have AFUEs as high as 98.5 percent.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Higher furnace efficiency ratings, especially those over 90 percent, typically come at a much higher cost than less-efficient models. A local HVAC contractor will be able to help calculate whether models with higher furnace efficiency ratings are worth the cost to you by looking at both your winter energy usage and the average for our area.
The U.S. Department of Energy publishes some estimates of fuel savings when switching to a furnace with higher furnace efficiency ratings. If your old furnace had a very low AFUE of 50 percent and you switch to a model with an AFUE of 95 percent, you can expect energy savings of $47.36 for every $100 in fuel costs. This assumes identical use and fuel costs, but you can see how an upgraded furnace might pay for itself.
To keep your furnace running at maximum efficiency or to discuss a newer, more efficient model, contact us today at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re proud to offer exceptional heating installations and repairs in the Lorain area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Furnace Efficiency Ratings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area