A Hudson, NH Homeowner Was In The Market For A New Heating System.
He recently asked about the varying efficiency ratings for the different units. In short, this efficiency rating will have a direct impact on how much it will cost you to heat your home. The higher the efficiency rating, the more heat is provided for the same amount of energy.
This efficiency, or more technically know as the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), rating tells how much heat the system will produce compared to the amount of energy required, and how much energy will be lost. For example, a unit that is rated at 80% AFUE, will result in 20% of lost energy and 80% used to heat the home.
What Efficiency Rating Is Right For You?
Any time you purchase a new heating system, you will want to take into consideration this efficiency rating, which will have a significant impact on your wallet over the life of the system. Mid-range units typically have around an 80% AFUE. Today’s higher-end units boast a 95% or even higher AFUE.
All new heating units are now required to have this efficiency number indicated on the unit itself. However, in the case of older systems this information may not be available. The general rule of thumb is that the older the unit, the lower the AFUE rating. Heating units older than 15 years typically have as low as a 65% efficiency rating.
This Hudson homeowner saw the savings over time in the life of the system, and opted for a higher-end unit. While the initial cost for the system was higher, he realized that he would save money over the years in his heating bills by operating a higher efficiency system.
The post Making Sense of a Heating Unit’s Efficiency Rating appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.
