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Modern furnaces are designed to use the minimum amount of energy to warm the home. When shopping for the right product, you have a choice between standard- and high-efficiency devices. Understanding the unit’s annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is the key to making the appropriate choice for your needs. Here’s what you should know before scheduling a heating installation.

Why Does the AFUE Value Matter?

By law, furnace and boiler manufacturers are required to display their products’ respective AFUE ratings so that customers can make an informed decision. This measure details the appliance’s efficiency in converting fuel energy into heat.

Standard models transform approximately 80% of burned energy, while higher-efficiency models are capable of converting up to 97% of energy into heat. To obtain an ENERGY STAR® rating, the product must have at least a 90% AFUE or higher.  

How Do You Read an AFUE Rating?

Tulsa, OK heating installationIt’s simplest to think of the AFUE value as a ratio of heat output and total energy consumption. That percentage is determined by dividing the amount of fuel in the device by the amount of heat it generates.

If a product has a 90% rating, it means that 90% of its fuel energy is converted into heat. The remaining 10% is lost through the chimney.

What Are the Benefits of High-Efficiency Models?

Your heating bills will ultimately be lower after your heating installation. High-efficiency products are generally quieter, too, and are built with powerful motors that consume far less energy.

Moreover, because they don’t have to work as hard to heat the home, they’re less likely to burn out or suffer premature failure, which results in less money put into furnace repairs.

How Does It Impact Your Carbon Footprint?

Using more fuel energy means the furnace naturally produces less waste as a result and helps conserve more natural resources. That, in turn, will minimize greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment.

During your heating installation, the contractor will explain the “sealed combustion” process, which controls how much air gets combined with the gas. It involves bringing combustible air from outside and combining it with the furnace’s fuel at a set rate to achieve maximum heat production. Since there’s no heat lost outside the device, the appliance is even more energy efficient.

 

Homeowners throughout Tulsa, OK, and the surrounding areas turn to the HVAC contractors at County Line Heating & Air Conditioning for everything from heating installations to furnace repairs. Serving the community since 1988, the locally owned company is committed to your satisfaction every step of the way. Visit them online for more information on their offerings, or call them at (918) 455-3463 to request an estimate.

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