Your home’s heating system uses a significant amount of energy each year. Ensuring that your furnace is working as efficiently as possible can help to keep your energy bills in check during the fall and winter seasons. How can you tell if the furnace in your house is a high-efficiency product?
What’s the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency Number?
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) number tells you how much energy a furnace is able to turn into heat. For example, if a heater is able to turn 100 units of gas into 70 units of heat, it would have an AFUE rating of 70%. All furnaces manufactured and sold in the United States must have a minimum efficiency score of 81%. You can usually find the energy efficiency rating for your unit on the item itself or in the owner manual that comes with it.
Does It Have an ENERGY STAR Label?
Any product that meets the Department of Energy (DOE) efficiency requirements will be labeled as such. To qualify as an ENERGY STAR product, it would need to have an AFUE rating of at least 90%.
Make Sure to Stick to a Regular Maintenance Schedule
Clogged air filters, broken parts, or improper venting may cause your furnace to be less efficient than it should be. The technicians at Evans Mechanical in Willow Creek can inspect, maintain, and repair heaters in a timely and friendly manner. If necessary, we can also replace your current unit with one that keeps your house comfortable without using as much energy. Ideally, you’ll have your home’s heating system inspected at least once per year.
If you want to learn more about your furnace, call the team at Evans Mechanical today! We can also help make your house more comfortable by maintaining cooling system components, performing indoor air quality assessments, or installing a new water heater. We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have, too.
