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Before you install a new furnace in your Bucks County, PA, home, make sure you select a unit with a high AFUE rating. Not sure what AFUE ratings are, or how to find out the AFUE rating for your particular furnace? No worries — we’ll explain everything you need to know about AFUE ratings, what they mean for your heating costs, and how to find out the AFUE rating of your home’s furnace or a unit that you plan on buying in the near future. Let’s take a closer look at AFUE ratings!

What is AFUE Rating?

First things first: AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating, which is a measurement of how well your heating system uses fuel to heat your home. The rating is on a scale out of 100, and the closer you are to a 100 percent AFUE rating, the more efficient your heating system is. If you have an AFUE rating of 65 percent, that means 65 percent of the fuel used in your furnace gets transferred to heat for your home — the other 35 percent is essentially being wasted or lost to combustion. In other words, 35 cents of every dollar would be wasted by a furnace with a 65 percent AFUE rating. With heat being one of a home’s most expensive energy costs each year, you definitely don’t want to be heating your home with a low-AFUE system. Do you know what your furnace’s AFUE rating is? 

How to Find Out Your Furnace’s AFUE Rating

You should be able to find the AFUE rating on your furnace’s faceplate. If you can’t find it there, try looking for the furnace’s model or serial number, which should be listed on the unit somewhere, unless it is outside on the compressor. Use that model or serial number on the manufacturer’s website to find your heating system’s AFUE rating.

If your furnace’s AFUE rating is on the lower side, you may want to consider investing in a newer, more efficient heating system. In the meantime, here are a few ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your current heating system:

Contact W.F. Smith for Help Installing a High AFUE Furnace 

Need help installing a high AFUE furnace in Bucks County, PA, or anywhere else nearby? You can count on W.F. Smith Heating & Air Conditioning to get the job done right every time. Call us today to learn more about AFUE ratings, or for help finding and installing the most efficient heating system for your home! 

If you’ve been burned by high energy bills or emergency air conditioning repairs in the past, you know the importance of being proactive about maintenance. In addition to your annual AC tune-up, there are steps any homeowner can take to prepare the AC for summer, avoid future repairs, and extend the life of the equipment.

Test Your Air Conditioner

If you haven’t started using your air conditioning yet this year, go ahead and turn it on now. Set it to several degrees below the current temp to make sure it can get cool. Listen for strange noises and look for leaks or other obvious problems.

Clean the Filter and Set a Schedule

Change your air filter (or clean a disposable filter), because dirty air makes the equipment have to work harder and can lead to freeze-ups or breakdowns. Then mark your calendar so you’ll remember to clean the filter once per month during cooling season, or however often the manufacturer recommends.

Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Pick up leaves, branches, and trash that might have collected around your outdoor AC unit. If shrubs grow close to the equipment, prune them back to leave a few feet of space.

Straighten Bent Fins

Do the condenser fins look flattened? An AC tune-up will straighten things out. You can get a fin comb at the hardware store but be very careful!

Clean the Outdoor Unit

Use a vacuum attachment to clean the coils. For even better results, schedule a maintenance visit by a Philadelphia air conditioning company that will thoroughly clean all components.

Get a Smart Thermostat

One of the best ways to maintain your AC is to use it a little bit less. A programmable thermostat can pay for itself by avoiding energy waste while you’re at work, while extending the AC lifespan.

Use a Ceiling Fan

If you’re willing to turn the thermostat up a degree or two, using a ceiling fan to save energy will absolutely take some pressure off your AC and keep it running stronger over time.

Check Insulation and Weatherstripping

Philadelphia homes should have at least R-38 insulation in the attic. Consider adding more insulation wherever you can, and check window and door seals and weatherstrips to replace or add them as needed.

Throw Some Shade

Everyone likes letting in natural light, but you can maintain your AC better by avoiding excessive heat gain. Use blinds or heavy curtains on east- and west-facing windows, or grow shade trees outside of them.

Never Skip Annual AC Maintenance

If everything seems fine, you might be wondering if professional AC maintenance is worth it. At W.F. Smith, our tune-up includes more than just changing the filter and cleaning the air conditioner. We test for airflow and efficiency, tighten electrical connections, and spot concerns early before something serious happens.

To schedule AC maintenance in Philly, call 215-624-1313 or contact us online!