The question of when to replace your furnace is a very important one. It is a major investment that can be quite expensive, and it has huge implications on how comfortable you will feel in your home for years to come. Therefore, you should understand Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings so that you can make an informed decision.
AFUE measures the efficiency of heating equipment, and is based on the ratio of heat that your system actually uses to warm your home compared to the total amount of energy that it consumes. High-efficiency equipment starts at 90 percent AFUE, which means that 90 percent of the fuel these systems use converts to heat for your home. The other 10 percent typically escapes, through the chimney or other outlets.
A high efficiency rating is important, especially in places that have rough winters, like Chicago. Upgrading from a lower rating — older systems are sometimes rated as low as 55 percent — can help you stay warmer throughout the winter, while also generating as much as 20 percent in energy savings that can offset the new system’s cost over time.
When deliberating between condensing or non-condensing furnaces, keep in mind that a condensing unit can have a rating up to 10 percentage points higher than a non-condensing model. When you consider the savings over a span of 15 or 20 years, which is the average lifetime of a furnace, the improved energy efficiency likely will make it financially beneficial to install a new furnace.
For more information on AFUE ratings and how they will impact your comfort and energy costs, contact Ibbotson Heating & Air Conditioning Co.today. We have proudly served the Northwest area of Chicago for more than 65 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about AFUE ratings and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ibbotson Heating & Air Conditioning Co. services Arlington Heights, Illinois and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
The post AFUE Rating: What It Is And Why It Matters When You’re Replacing Your Furnace appeared first on Ibbotson Home Comfort Blog.