Buying a new furnace is a big deal, and not just cost-wise. The furnace you choose or opt for is likely to be your life for 10 – 15 years, so the more you know on the front end, the better off you’ll be later one.
One standard to judge furnaces by is their AFUE rating. AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The higher the number, the more energy efficient the furnace. More importantly, the AFUE number – every furnace has one – is a measurement of the amount of heat a fuel-burning appliance produces in relation to how much energy it consumes on a yearly basis. The government requires that AFUE ratings be displayed, which means you don’t have to guess or do any homework to find out.
Today’s furnaces and boilers have AFUE ratings of 78% (the government required minimum) up to a high of 99%. In general terms, the higher the AFUE rating, the more you’ll pay for your furnace. And yet, a higher AFUE rating means greater energy savings which serve to offset the cost of your furnace.
A high-efficiency furnace, in fact, can pay for itself in just a few years with the money you’ll save on your utility bills. High efficiency furnaces also leave less of a carbon footprint than less efficient models.
If you’re thinking about replacing your furnace or boiler, we invite you to contact Nero Air Conditioning & Heating today for a free in-home comfort analysis and new system proposal. We’ll explain everything you need to know to make an informed buying decision. And, we’re always happy to answer your questions.
