You need to consider furnace replacement even if your older model is still working properly in your Levittown home. Furnace replacement of a functioning appliance might not initially seem to make fiscal sense, but after going over the numbers you’ll see the benefits of furnace replacement for you and your family.

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is one of those buzzwords that everyone uses, but isn’t always explained. According to The Guardian, “Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the same service.” One of the biggest reasons to think about furnace replacement for your Levittown home is its efficiency rating. Older broiler and furnace models were designed with an emphasis on function. Now that manufacturers have fine-tuned furnace functionality, the new focus is on how to get them to operate efficiently.

Furnace efficiency is the ratio between yearly heat output compared to the total yearly fuel consumption. This ratio is called the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). It’s similar to a car’s mpg that calculates how many miles can you drive on a single gallon of gas. AFUE represents how much your furnace produces using a unit of fuel.

What is ideal energy efficiency?

In an ideal situation 100% of the fuel put into a furnace would convert into heat. There are some electric units that boast this level of efficiency, but it comes at a cost. Electricity isn’t cheap in most places across the country.

Thankfully, there are a number of Energy Star rate natural gas and oil furnaces available with 90% AFUE levels or better.

What is your furnace’s efficiency level?

Newer furnace models are required by law to display their AFUE rating. For older models you might have to check the owner’s manual or research online.

However, you can get a sense of your furnace’s efficiency level by examining its features. Does it have a continuous pilot light and rely on a natural draft? If so, you can expect a mid-50s to 70 percent AFUE rating.

Does your Levittown home’s furnace have electronic ignition and use an exhaust fan instead of a natural draft to create combustion? If you answered yes to these questions, you probably have a unit that is around 82 percent efficient.

How to decide what is best for my home in Levittown?

There are a lot factors to include when deciding on whether or not furnace replacement is right for your Levittown home such as, the appliance’s age, how long you will be living in the home, and fuel costs. If you feel overwhelmed call a licensed and experienced HVAC professional from a company you can trust like McHales. We can help determine if a full furnace replacement is best or if retrofitting your current unit is an effective cost and energy saving measure.

By McHales