Homeowners nowadays are becoming increasingly concerned with energy efficiency. But unfortunately, the furnace is one of the most energy-intensive devices in the home. During peak usage, your heating system might account for better than half of your energy bill. That is why it is important to understand whether your heating system is operating efficiently.
How can you tell if your current furnace is efficient enough? Here are three ways to know whether your heater is energy efficient or not.
Ways For Determining Your Heater's Energy Efficiency.
Age of Your Heater
The age of your heating system might provide essential information about its energy efficiency. Most heaters have a 20 to 30-year lifespan. However, after 10 to 15 years, the furnace’s efficiency starts to deteriorate due to wear and tear and corrosion.
Depending on how well a heater is maintained, its efficiency can reduce by 5% per year. Unfortunately, as a heating system ages, it becomes less efficient. At this point, you should consider replacing your heater to prevent unnecessary costs due to repair bills or increased energy consumption.
Fortunately, heating installation in Westminster, CA, has become simpler as the industry has evolved to include more energy-efficient heaters. As a result, if your old heater consumes too much energy, it is time to replace it
AFUE Rating
The AFUE rating of your home’s furnace is an easy way to determine its energy efficiency. If you have any doubts regarding the efficiency of your equipment, look at the model and serial number sticker.
The efficiency is often labeled as annualized fuel use efficiency on the sticker (AFUE). This proportion shows the heat produced for every dollar spent on fuel. As a result, the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient it is and the less your fuel costs.
For example, a furnace with a 95% AFUE rating transforms 95% of gas into heat while wasting only roughly 5% of fuel due to leaks or inefficient burners. A heater is considered a high-efficiency system if its AFUE is 90 or higher.
Evaluate Your Energy Bills
Energy bills are always steady and might fluctuate due to several causes. However, rapid and unusual swings in your energy costs may indicate underlying problems with your heaters. Comparing bills from prior years is an excellent way to assess how your system performs as it ages.
If your energy expenses are rising, it could be a sign that your heater is losing efficiency. That is because a less efficient heater will have to work harder and longer to heat your home. That means increased energy use and higher energy costs.
Improve Your Heater Efficiency With Regular Maintenance.
Your home’s heating system is complex. As a result, several things might go wrong and reduce efficiency. That is why routine maintenance by a trained HVAC expert is essential. Regular furnace or heater maintenance is one of the best methods to keep your heating system functioning efficiently and avoid repair bills.
Contact Absolute Airflow Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing if you have any queries regarding your heating system’s efficiency or if you need repair or heater installation in Riverside, CA. We conduct routine energy inspections and testing to assist homeowners in determining how efficient their system is and where they can save money.