Have you noticed your furnace requires more repair work to operate properly? If so, it might be time to replace your home’s heating system. A new, more modern system with a higher efficiency rating will work consistently and save you money on utility bills. Keep reading to learn about furnace efficiency ratings and what they mean for your Clovis, NM, home.
What Are Furnace Efficiency Ratings?
The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 made it a requirement for all newly produced furnaces to have a 78% efficiency rate at minimum. Prior to being available for public purchase and use, all new gas furnaces sold in the U.S. receive a rating based on Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). This rating reflects the amount of fuel the system uses when heating a dwelling.
The most efficient of these heating systems receives a 98% rating by the AFUE. The minimum AFUE rating is set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 78%, with the exception being heating systems in mobile homes, which must have a minimum efficiency rating of 75%.
What the Various Efficiency Ratings Mean
Heating systems in older homes tend to be low-efficiency units, meaning that they have an efficiency rating of 56% to 70% and are the least efficient models. These systems are often over 20 years old, and they require frequent repairs. This type of furnace won’t be very good at effectively heating your home or saving money on your utility bills.
Medium-efficiency heating systems are AFUE-rated at 80% to 83%. The most efficient rating is 90% to 98%, which is the highest AFUE rating available. This system features a sealed combustion chamber with two heat exchangers to retain and condense flue gases for optimum energy efficiency.
How These Ratings Benefit You
Installing a heating system with a high-efficiency AFUE rating will keep your home warm and comfortable while utilizing the least possible amount of energy. That means a cozy atmosphere for you and your family. It also means more money in your wallet since your energy bills will decrease. A more efficient heating system uses less power to maintain the temperature settings in your home, extending the life of your system as well.
Let Us Help You Upgrade
Investing in a higher-efficiency heating system will add value to your home and give you the peace of mind knowing that you have a furnace you can depend on. When you’re ready to take this important step, give I.T.S. Refrigeration & Heating, Inc. a call and let our expert service technicians install a high-efficiency furnace for you.
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