What is AFUE, and Why Does Furnace Efficiency Matter?
As the annual heating season in Lakeland, Florida, nears, it’s time to ensure that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible. An energy efficient furnace can mean that you spend less to heat your home during cooler weather.
If your existing furnace is older, it might not be possible for you to achieve the energy efficiency you need to keep your utility bills low while providing your family with the comfort they need. Older furnaces have much lower energy efficiency standards than new models. When you’re in the market for a new furnace, you’ll want to understand furnace AFUE ratings to choose a model that provides optimal energy efficiency.
What Does AFUE Mean?
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is a metric used to determine a furnace’s efficiency when it converts fuel into heat. As a result, a furnace with a higher AFUE rating is more efficient, while one with a lower AFUE rating is less efficient.
A more efficient furnace can offer multiple benefits. Over time, it can mean cost savings, greater comfort, and a good return on investment (ROI).
Why Furnace Efficiency Matters
1. Lower Energy Bills
When you have a highly efficient furnace, it will waste less energy to heat your home. This translates into lower utility bills and cost savings.
2. Better Home Comfort
An efficient furnace heats your home more quickly and helps to maintain consistent temperatures. This can improve your family’s overall comfort since you can enjoy reliable temperatures at your preferred thermostat setting.
3. Longer System Lifespan
Furnaces that are more efficient in turning fuel into heat don’t have to work as hard to meet your temperature demands. When a furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, it will undergo less wear and tear over time. This can help to extend your furnace’s useful lifespan.
4. Environmental Benefits
Since a highly efficient furnace turns a high percentage of fuel into heat, it will require less fuel over time to heat your home than one that’s less efficient. This means that your furnace will have lower carbon emissions and a greener environmental footprint.
5. Increased Home Value
If you anticipate placing your home on the market within the next few years, having a furnace with a high AFUE rating can be an attractive selling point. Many homeowners want sustainable features, and a highly efficient furnace can help them save money on their heating costs while helping to reduce their carbon footprint.
Understanding AFUE Ratings With This Chart
To understand AFUE ratings and what they mean, take a quick look at common furnace efficiency levels in this chart:
| Furnace Type | Typical AFUE Range | Efficiency Category |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (Older Models) | 56%–70% | Low Efficiency |
| Mid-Efficiency | 80%–89% | Moderate Efficiency |
| High-Efficiency | 90%–98% | Energy Efficient |
Federal law requires a minimum AFUE of 80% for new furnaces, but in warmer climates like Florida, investing in a high-efficiency model can still lead to noticeable energy savings. An 80% rating means that your furnace converts 80% of the fuel it uses into heat. By contrast, a furnace with an AFUE of 95% converts 95% of the fuel it uses into heat, reducing your overall heating costs.
Gas vs. Electric Furnace Efficiency
Here are 2 types of furnaces and their efficiency ratings.
Gas Furnaces: Gas furnaces are widely used because of their lower operating costs and greater heat quality. Gas high efficiency furnaces can have AFUE ratings of 95% or more.
Electric Furnaces: Electric furnaces turn all of the electricity they consume into heat and so technically achieve an AFUE of 100%. However, electric furnaces typically come with higher utility bills.
How to Improve Your Furnace’s Efficiency
If you want to improve your existing furnace’s efficiency, take the following steps:
- Replace filters monthly.
- Clean vents and clear debris.
- Seal leaks around doors and windows.
- Repair ductwork leaks.
- Schedule regular maintenance before heating season each year.
- Use a smart thermostat to reduce the temperature when you’re away from home or while you’re asleep.
- Keep the area around your vents clear (between three to five feet) for better airflow.
- Know when it’s time for a furnace replacement in Lakeland FL.
Why Choose a High-AFUE Furnace for Your Home?
When your furnace is older, has become less efficient, and requires frequent repairs, it’s likely time to consider replacing it with an energy efficient furnace. Choosing a model with a high AFUE furnace rating can lower your monthly utility bills, increase your family’s comfort, and provide a longer furnace lifespan.
While a unit with a high AFUE furnace rating will likely have a higher upfront cost, the benefits it can offer will quickly make up for it. You will still need to ensure that your home’s insulation is good and that any air leaks are sealed to enjoy the most benefit.
Warm Comfort, Done Right — On Time
Choosing Lakeland One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating for your Lakeland furnace installation means that you can benefit from our fast, dependable service and a furnace with the AFUE rating that meets your needs. Our HVAC installation experts pride themselves on the quality of their work.
When you call us, you’ll love that we’re on time, or you don’t pay a dime. We can deliver the warm comfort your family deserves with a quality installation that exceeds your expectations.
Ready to Upgrade Your Furnace Efficiency?
If you want a more efficient furnace, it makes sense to choose one with a high AFUE rating. At Lakeland One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, we can help you choose a highly efficient furnace, size it properly for your home, and expertly install it for you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about your next furnace.