by Cooper Climate Control
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If you’re currently in the market for a new furnace, or just trying to decide if it’s time to upgrade your old one, there are certain things you’ll want to take into consideration. Namely, you want to pay close attention to energy-efficiency ratings like AFUE, as well as the future costs of any potential furnace upgrade. AFUE means “annual fuel utilization efficiency,” and it’s used to measure how well a furnace converts energy into heat. It’s on a percentage scale, and the higher the rating, the higher percentage of energy the unit successfully converts.
Since you have to pay for wasted energy, the AFUE ratings of any potential furnaces you consider are sure to have a big impact on your finances in the long run. By staying informed about these AFUE ratings, you can compare furnaces choices more easily and coherently. In the fairly recent past, furnaces were significantly less efficient than they are in the present, and there’s a good chance the one you’re currently running in your home is outdated in terms of efficiency. As it stands right now, all new furnaces must have an AFUE rating of at least 78 percent, and many of the best ones out there can reach up to 90 or 95. Granted, the most efficient ones can cost significantly more money initially, but generally they can pay for themselves via energy savings, as well as lower likelihood for major repair expenses.
AFUE ratings aren’t the only criteria you want to be using when selecting a new furnace, or deciding if you’re ready to upgrade. It’s always a great idea to contact a local HVAC contractor, and have them calculate the lifetime operating costs of any heating unit you’re considering purchasing. By taking into account several factors, such as energy efficiency, local utility costs, and certain aspects of your home, it can be accurately calculated how much you’ll be spending down the road.
So, keep these things in mind when shopping for a furnace, and for HVAC needs in the Valley-Metro area, contact Cooper Climate Control Air Conditioning & Heating.