When shopping for a new furnace, you’re going to have a lot of numbers thrown at you about the furnace’s performance. One of these numbers is the furnace’s AFUE rating. AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency and is a measurement of the furnace’s efficiency. It’s important to pay attention not only to the furnace AFUE rating but also to understand how it is calculated so you can make the right purchase for your home.
The furnace experts at Novak Heating, Air, and Duct Cleaning are here to help you not only find the best furnace for your home but install it and maintain its efficiency throughout its life. Trust us, your only Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in Cedar Rapids, IA to set you up with some of the best furnaces in the business.
What Is an AFUE Rating?
AFUE is the energy-efficiency standard for all heating units manufactured in the United States. A furnace AFUE rating is similar to the mile-per-gallon rating on your car. AFUE measures the percent of heat produced for every dollar of fuel consumed. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient your furnace is.
When your furnace heats your home, gasses need to escape through an air vent or a chimney. This is necessary to prevent natural gas from filling up your home. Another factor that contributes to AFUE ratings is the type of burner used during the heating process. AFUE ratings do not account for leaks in ductwork. It’s a good idea to call Novak for air duct sealing, cleaning, and repairs before installing a new furnace to make sure it is working as efficiently as advertised.
According to Energy.gov, furnaces with an AFUE rating of 90%-98.5% are considered high efficiency. A mid-efficiency furnace has an AFUE rating of 80%-83%. An AFUE rating lower than this is considered low efficiency.
How Is a Furnace’s AFUE Rating Calculated?
Now that we know what an AFUE rating is, let’s see how it is calculated. The AFUE rating is derived by finding the total annual heat output in BTUs divided by the total energy input in BTUs, multiplied by 100. The formula looks like this:
AFUE = (total annual heat output in BTUs / total energy output in BTUs) x 100
BTUs, or British Thermal Units, is a measurement that shows how much energy your furnace uses to create heat. A professional technician can use sensors to determine the heat output of your furnace.
So when you’re looking at AFUE ratings, think of it in terms of money. If a furnace has an AFUE rating of 100%, that means that all of the money that goes into heating your home is converted directly into usable heat. An AFUE rating of 85% means that 85% of the money you pay for heating is getting used, while 15% is wasted on escaped heat. This is why it’s important to pay attention to your furnace’s AFUE rating so you can see how much money you’re potentially wasting on heat.
Other Things to Consider When Looking at New Electric or Gas Furnaces
While you might think that you should just go out and buy the furnace with the best AFUE rating, there are a few catches. For one, most high-efficiency furnaces are electric, not gas. This could make your electricity bills rise immensely. Pay attention to the fuel source type of any furnace you’re considering purchasing. High-efficiency furnaces also tend to be more expensive. Although you might love the energy savings, there’s a chance a high-efficiency furnace might be out of your budget.
Also remember that your furnace’s efficiency depends on how well it is maintained. Your AFUE rating won’t stay consistent for its whole life if you don’t have your furnace inspected and cleaned once a year. Be sure to schedule annual furnace tune ups with Novak every fall.
Call Novak to Learn More About Furnace AFUE Ratings
When you’re ready to purchase a furnace or heating system, talk to the HVAC experts at Novak. We can find you an electric or gas furnace with the right furnace AFUE ratings to keep your furnace running efficiently. Call Novak today to schedule your new furnace installation.