Upgrade To An Energy-Efficient Furnace

In today’s economy, homeowners are concerned about job security and rising household expenses. They are looking for ways to conserve energy, save money and promote a greener living environment. By upgrading to a new, energy-efficient furnace for your home, you can address all three concerns and provide more comfort for your family.

How Old is Your Furnace?

With so many advances in technology over the past decade, new furnaces are very different from old ones. The average lifespan for most gas or electric furnaces is 10 to 15 years. If your furnace is older than that, you’re missing out on great energy-efficient features that help to save you money on your household heating costs. According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling costs can account for as much as 52 percent of the average household’s expenses. An Energy Star rated furnace will lower high energy bills, improve home comfort, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Furnace efficiency is measured by AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. These standards require all furnaces to have a minimum AFUE of 78 percent. That means that the furnace must convert 78 percent of its fuel into heat. Older furnaces typically have AFUE of 78 to 85 percent, but new, Energy Star rated furnaces, considered high-efficiency models, have AFUE of 90 to 98 percent. That makes a big difference in air quality and comfort and money spent on heating expenses and Massachusetts furnace repairs. Upgrading to a new, energy-efficient furnace can save you as much as 20 percent each year on heating costs.

What Size is Your Furnace?

To avoid unnecessary expense and wasted energy, it’s important to make sure your furnace is the right size for your home. Under-sizing your furnace will cause your furnace to work harder and run longer just to provide adequate heat, resulting in higher energy bills. Over-sizing your furnace will cause excessive air flow, uneven temperatures and wasted energy. Your furnace size should be based on your home’s square footage, existing insulation, number of windows and air leakage. Furnace size, measured by BTUs (British Thermal Units), indicate the amount of gas burned each hour. Sizes typically range from 40,000 BTUs to 100,000 BTUs, so it’s best to work with a professional heating contractor who can help you choose the correct size furnace for best home energy efficiency.