It’s Thanksgiving week and the temperature is getting colder each day. As the winter season quickly approaches many homeowners brace themselves for winter utility bills to arrive. During the winter months our heaters have to work in overdrive to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. The best way to ensure that you heater doesn’t become a financial burden during the winter is to check and see if it is running efficiently. Read on to learn about the steps you can take to check the efficiency of your heater.
- Check the AFUE Rating: An AFUE, annual fuel utilization efficiency, rating is a percentage that measures how efficiently your heater can convert fuel into energy. Checking the AFUE rating of your heater will allow you to determine if your heater is running efficiently or not. The higher AFUE rating, the more efficient the heater. If the furnace has a rating of 90% or higher, meaning 90% of the fuel being used is going towards heating your home, it is considered high-efficiency. To find the AFUE rating check the user’s manual or the sticker located on the inside of the furnace cabinet.
- Consider Age: Age is a very important factor is determining how efficient your heater can be. The average life expectancy of a heater is 15-20 years. Consider the age of your heater when checking the AFUE rating. Just because your heater began with a high AFUE rating does not mean that it is still running that efficiently. The rating can decline about 5% each year, especially if the system is not properly maintained.
- Compare Bills: When taking note of your heaters efficiency, it is very beneficial to look at old energy bills from previous years. Compare your energy bill to a bill from the same month last year to see if it is significantly higher than it was a year prior. If your bill is noticeably higher, then your system may be losing efficiency. When comparing bills, be sure to note any outside influences that could contribute to the change.
Checking on the efficiency of your heater will help you make smart decisions when heating your home, and it could potentially help you save on your monthly energy bills. If your heater is due for regular maintenance or if you need to replace your system, call Automatic Air to schedule an appointment.
