HVAC

If you’ve been shopping for a furnace lately, you might’ve seen the term “AFUE” a few times. AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is used to determine the energy efficiency of the heating system. But why is AFUE so important, and how can you determine if a furnace’s AFUE rating is good?

In the latest blog post from Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating, we’ll answer questions like these to help you through the furnace installation process. 

What Is AFUE?

When the winter months come around and the coldest weather approaches, you’ll likely crank the heat up and enjoy the warmth. As a result, however, your heating costs will rise with continued use. Heating costs are among the most expensive bills that homeowners have to pay, which is why having an energy-efficient furnace is so important when it comes to reducing bills.

AUFE ratings were created to help homeowners understand how efficient their heating system will be before purchasing and installing the unit. The rating is shown in the form of a percentage, and it shows how much energy is used to create heat for a home. The percentage is determined by dividing the amount of used fuel by the amount of heat produced. 

Why Does AFUE Matter?

There are a lot of costs that go into purchasing and installing a new furnace. Costs that should not be forgotten during the process, however, include your average utility costs. Pay attention to the AFUE percentage of any furnace that you’re considering. It will give you a realistic idea of what your utility bills might look like with each unit. 

In order to meet government standards and regulations, a furnace must have an AFUE rating of at least 78. However, when shopping for a new furnace, aim for the highest AFUE rating possible. The higher the AFUE rating is, the better the system’s energy efficiency will be.

The Best AFUE Ratings

While the minimum AFUE rating for a furnace is 78, homeowners should set their sights higher. A furnace with an AFUE furnace rating of 78 percent is characterized as a low-efficiency furnace. Furnaces with 80-85 percent ratings offer mid-range efficiency, and anything higher than 85 percent is a high-efficiency furnace. A new heating system must have an AFUE rating of 90 percent or higher to achieve Energy Star Certification.

A heating system with a higher AFUE rating offers greater energy efficiency, but it’s also usually more expensive to purchase and install than a low-efficiency furnace.

Contact Sanborn’s for Furnace Services

For the best furnace installation services in Redlands, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire, don’t hesitate to reach out to Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Our technicians come backed by years of experience and apply their knowledge and expertise to each and every job. Contact us today to learn more about the AFUE ratings of any of our gas furnaces, or to schedule an appointment with us.