AFUE: Explaining the HVAC Acronym

As a Lake Jackson, Texas, homeowner, you should understand the annual fuel utilization efficiency rating for your furnace and what it means for your family’s comfort. A highly efficient heating system with the right AFUE rating can save money on your energy bills while keeping your family comfortable in your home.

What Is AFUE?

The annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, is the standard efficiency rating for gas and oil furnaces. This rating measures the percentage of fuel used to generate heat. For example, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 90 uses 90 percent of its fuel to heat your home, while 10 percent goes to waste. The higher the rating, the more efficient the heating system will be for your home.

Why Is AFUE Important?

The AFUE efficiency rating on furnaces and boilers allows homeowners to choose from among different heating systems. The standard compares different systems of the same fuel type as well as units with different fuel types, such as gas and oil.

An efficient heating system saves you money on energy bills year after year. An older gas furnace for example, could have a rating as low as 65 percent, meaning much of your fuel is not being directed toward heating your home.

Investing in an efficient heating system — the newest Carrier models can have an AFUE rating as high as 98 percent — will add up to much in savings over the life of the unit. Be sure to consider AFUE ratings if you’re looking to replace your current furnace or you’re deciding on a unit for a new home.

Fuel Types and AFUE Ratings

Gas heaters typically have higher ratings than oil heaters, making gas a popular choice for home heating. Depending on where you live, you may have a choice of fuel options. You should consider the cost of fuel as well as the efficiency rating when choosing a new heating unit.

At Davis Air Conditioning and Heating, our technicians have experience installing, maintaining, and servicing both gas and oil heating systems in the Lake Jackson area. Call us at 888-929-0049 to learn more about energy-efficient ways to heat your home.

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