Furnace Efficiency Ratings and What They Mean

Published on January 21, 2017

There are several variables to consider when you invest in a new furnace:

What is your budget for a new furnace?
What can you afford in monthly heating bills?
Do you have anyone in the home with respiratory ailments?
Which type and size system do you require to heat your size of home?

But have you ever thought about your furnace efficiency rating? Do you know what it means?

McKinley Heating Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help clear up any confusion with what the furnace efficiency rating is and how it can affect your home and your budget.

The furnace efficiency rating helps establish how much energy is required to heat your home and, ultimately, how much it will cost you. Basically, the higher your furnace efficiency rating the less energy your furnace uses to heat your home.

The AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating is the value that shows how much heat the furnace will produce compared to the amount of energy needed to produce the heat. For instance, if your heating equipment has a AFUE rating of 90%, this means 10% of energy used is lost and 90% actually becomes heat for your home.

Note that this rating does not include the potential heat lost through leaking or improperly installed duct work or attic insulation. The duct work in every home is different – some higher quality, some poorer, so the AFUE rating does not include this in their rating. If you feel that your furnace or duct system is not energy efficient, give McKinley Heating Service Experts a call today and we will give you a free in-home analysis and help you find out how much more energy and money you could possibly save each month.

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