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3 Ways to Determine if Your Heater is Energy Efficient
Energy prices are rising fast, which makes heating your home even more costly than last year. As a homeowner, having an energy-efficient furnace can make a big difference when your household budget weighs in the balance. If you’ve never done it before, calculating heater efficiency isn’t always as easy as it sounds.
To ensure that your home remains warm and comfortable even on the coldest winter days, here are three ways to determine the energy efficiency of your furnace.
1. AFUE Rating
Recorded as a percentage, the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating measures how efficiently the furnace converts fuel into energy. Located in the user’s manual and displayed on the unit, the higher the AFUE score, the more economical the heater is.
For instance, a gas furnace with an AFUE value of 90 wastes about ten percent of the energy. Living in a cooler climate like Colorado’s demands a heater with an 80 percent AFUE rating or higher. Homes or businesses located at higher elevations should be equipped with a furnace rated at 95 percent or above.
2. Age of the Heating System
Even with proper care that includes an annual inspection and seasonal maintenance, all furnaces eventually become outdated and less energy efficient. With an average life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, most heaters lose about five percent of their efficiency per year of use. For all these reasons, another way to determine furnace efficiency is by finding out the age of your unit.
When it’s time to replace your old energy-guzzling furnace, installing one of today’s high-efficiency models will make heating your home more affordable for many years to come.
3. Change in Energy Bills
Although it might cost more upfront, a modern, high-efficiency furnace or AC will be cheaper to run. Base your financial decision on factors like how much you will use it, the fuel source, and installation cost.
Keeping a watchful eye on your energy charges from month to month will let you know when it’s time for a furnace upgrade.
The time to replace your inefficient furnace with a new high-efficiency model is now before energy prices rise any further. If you still aren’t sure, have your heater’s efficiency evaluated by a trained HVAC professional to determine whether a repair or replacement is the right decision
for you.
At ABE Heating and Cooling, we are experts in the residential and light commercial heating and cooling industry. Located in Brighton, Colorado, we proudly serve the entire Denver Metro Area. Contact ABE Heating and Cooling to learn more.
