How to Tell if Your Heater is Energy-Efficient
A few of the best ways to tell if your heater is energy-efficient:
- AFUE Rating: To find the AFUE rating for your furnace, check the owner’s manual or look inside the heater cover. The AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, rating determines how much fuel is consumed per dollar used. The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the heating system.
- Energy Bills: Monitor the costs of heating each month. While small fluctuations in bill amounts are normal, larger fluctuations often suggest a problem with the heating system. If you notice drastic changes from one year to another, the furnace likely is not as efficient as it should be.
- Heater Age: The average furnace has an average lifetime of 15 to 20 years, provided it’s well cared for during those years. When your furnace nears the 15-year mark or surpasses the age, it certainly loses energy efficiency the longer it’s in the home. Replacing the furnace could very well be the best way to maximize efficiency and add more comfort to your place.
How to Improve Heater Energy-Efficiency
There are several steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your furnace, including:
- Change the filters each month. Dirty filters pollute the air and force the furnace to work harder to warm the home to your desired temperatures.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance each season. Visits from an HVAC technician in Alma each year can keep your system working efficiently, resulting in significant savings on heating costs each month.
- Using other heat sources can improve the efficiency of your heating system. A ceiling fan turned counterclockwise, for example, can help blow warm air through the home. You can turn down the heat!
If you need to schedule an HVAC tune-up in Greenwood or need additional help improving the energy efficiency of your system, give us a call today!
Rice Heating and Air is a full–service heating and air company headquartered in Alma, AR. The company specializes in air conditioning repair, AC installations, indoor air quality systems, heating repair, and furnace installations. Rice Heating and Air are focused on helping homeowners and businesses stay comfortable year–round. We are your comfort experts.
Call us today for any of your heating and cooling needs.
