Fight the MA Clean Heat Standard Today! - LEARN HOW
Written on: December 20, 2021
Efficiency matters. When it comes to boilers and furnaces, efficiency is the first thing you should consider. If you’re looking to upgrade to a new boiler or furnace, you should buy the most efficient model that fits your budget. If you have an older boiler or furnace, it’s important to know how efficient it is. Sooner or later an upgrade will be your best choice because it will significantly lower your energy bills and your carbon footprint at the same time.
How do you figure out how efficient your boiler or furnace is? Look for its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. Just like your car’s MPG (miles per gallon) rating indicates how efficiently it uses fuel, the AFUE for a boiler or furnace represents the amount of fuel (e.g., heating oil or propane) the heating system uses compared to how much heat it generates. The higher the AFUE, the more energy-efficient it is.
For example, if a furnace or boiler has an AFUE rating of 95, then 95% of the fuel it consumes is heating your home and 5% is getting lost during the conversion process. Said another way, for every dollar you spend on fuel for a boiler or furnace with a 95 AFUE rating, 95 cents will actually go towards heating your home, and 5 cents will be lost up the chimney or some other way. That means the higher the AFUE rating, the more heat you’re getting for each dollar you spend on fuel.
The US Department of Energy suggests using the highest-efficiency unit you can afford, especially if you live in a region like New England that experiences harsh winters. Keep in mind, a higher AFUE saves you money, but it also indicates that your boiler or furnace is producing fewer emissions, which is good for the environment.
Want to find out the AFUE rating for your current boiler or furnace? You should be able to find its AFUE rating on its faceplate. Once you know the number, check the ranges below to see how it rates.
If your boiler or furnace isn’t highly efficient, make Brideau your go-to dealer for boiler and furnace sales and installation. You’ll save money on your energy bills immediately. Also, your new system will cost less to maintain with regular tune-ups than an older model.
Since 1987, the pros at Brideau Energy have earned the loyalty of our customers with our fairness and honesty. Our family-owned business provides the households of central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire with fair pricing and personalized service. Click here to find out if we’re in your area.
Contact us today to learn more about the equipment and services we offer.
