How to Tell If Your Furnace or Boiler Is Energy Efficient
With spring around the corner, now is the time that many Capital Region homeowners are considering upgrading their heating systems after a long, cold winter. Do you know how energy efficient your current furnace or boiler is? G.A. Bove Fuels is here to help you figure it out! Once you understand the efficiency rating of your current heating unit, you can learn more about how to save more on fuel during the colder seasons and even increase your heating system’s energy efficiency with an upgrade to a new system if necessary.
How to Determine Your Heating System’s Energy Efficiency
Your Heating Equipment’s AFUE Rating
AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, determines what percentage of fuel your equipment can turn into heat. An AFUE of 75% means that ¾ of your fuel will be transformed into heat, while ¼ is by-product. An AFUE rating of 95% is a good heating efficiency rating, as it means that more of your fuel will be used for heating and less will be wasted. Your heating system’s AFUE rating is usually listed in your system’s user manual or on a sticker inside the control panel of the unit. If you need help finding this information, just contact us, and we’ll be glad to help.
Your Heating System’s Age
Even the most efficient heating systems lose efficiency as they age. You can subtract about 5% efficiency for each year of your heating system’s operation: a 10-year-old furnace with 95% efficiency will only be operating at about 45% efficiency. Furnaces and boilers only last around 15 years or so, so if you’re considering an upgrade, you’ll significantly improve your fuel efficiency.
Do a Heating System Efficiency Comparison
Use the formula above to calculate your heating system’s current efficiency and subtract that number from a new, high-efficiency system’s rating of 98%. If your current equipment is operating at 48%, upgrading to 98% with a new system will provide you with fuel savings of up to 50%! A new upgrade might be more worthwhile than you thought.
Related Post: How Often Should I Replace My Heating System?
Don’t Put Off Investing in a More Efficient Heating System
There are many benefits for New York homeowners to upgrade to a new oil or propane heating system. You’ll experience greater savings and comfort with a new, more efficient heating system as well as improved indoor air quality, longer equipment lifespan, and increased resale value for future buyers. Get in touch with our energy experts here at G.A. Bove Fuels for a no-obligation quote on a new furnace or boiler.