Why AFUE Ratings Matter When Installing a New Furnace in Your Evadale Home.
When you are shopping for a new furnace or a furnace replacement for your Evadale home, there are a number of reasons the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating is a very important number. Now model furnaces recieve an AFUE percentage, which measures how much fuel a particular model converts into heat. Efficient furnaces are given higher AFUE ratings, but shoppers should also consider the size and type of furnace when debating how much money to spend on a new furnace.
Understanding the AFUE Ratio
78% is the lowest AFUE rating for new furnaces. This means that 78 percent of the fuel is turned into heat, and the remaining percentage is lost either through poor insulation, air leaks, or the ventilation system in the home. Because there’s no heat loss through a chimney flue, some all-electric furnaces can have an AFUE rating as high as 98%. However, if the cost of electricity used to meet your normal heating needs is higher than the efficiency savings, you may want to consider other options. Talk to a qualified HVAC contractor for advice about the most cost-efficient heater for your home.
Furnace Efficiency Features
Furnaces manufactured 15-20 years ago have significantly lower AFUE ratings (between 55%-70% for most older models) because they are typically single-stage, or single-speed systems. Single-stage furnaces are less efficient because they are designed to cycle on at full capacity and shut off when the desired temperature is met. Newer, two-speed models have a second setting that runs consistently at a lower speed, which saves energy by burning less fuel. Multispeed furnaces that have variable-speed blowers are the most efficient because they operate at various levels and automatically adjust to the thermostat to maintain a constant temperature.
If you look at the AFUE ratings for multispeed and variable-speed furnaces, the ratios should be above 80%. Keep in mind that this only determines the efficiency levels for the furnace itself. You’ll need to factor in whether or not your home has proper insulation and other upgrades, such as double-paned windows and doors.
Call Efficient Systems Heating & Air Conditioning to speak with one of our qualified HVAC technicians about a furnace upgrade for your Evadale home.
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