What Does AFUE Mean?

While an air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, furnace efficiency is measured by AFUE, or average fuel utilization efficiency.

This standard measurement is given in percentages, letting you know how much of your fuel is actually used to heat your Cedarburg, home and how much fuel is wasted.

At K Komfort Heating & Cooling, we consider AFUE, fuel type, cost, and a myriad of other factors when deciding which furnace is best for your heating goals and budget. We also strongly believe in educating consumers on furnace basics—what you need to know before you buy a new heating system. 

When considering a new furnace, keep in mind that the higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the unit. Typically the ratings or percentages you’ll see on new furnaces range from 80 to 100 percent (contingent upon the fuel type of furnace being rated). If a furnace has an AFUE of 80 percent, this means the furnace converts 80 percent of the fuel to heat your house, while the remaining 20 percent is lost, usually out the chimney.

Furnace Shopping and AFUE

Remember that AFUE is only about a furnace’s ability to convert fuel into heat. Higher-efficiency furnaces also cost more than their lower-efficiency comrades. That’s something you need to be mindful of when furnace shopping. You need to weigh these factors against each another, as well as the cost of your type of furnace fuel.

Angie’s List recommends using the age-old advice of always going with the most efficient furnace you can afford. Our K Komfort Heating & Cooling technicians take a more methodical approach. We can assess your home and determine the best furnace for your heating needs, whether that involves an 80 AFUE, 99 AFUE, or something in between the two ratings.

Furnace Fuel Type

In general, the type of fuel your furnace uses is more important in determining the optimal furnace for your home than the AFUE is. Fuels such as gas, propane, and electric vary greatly in cost and need to be one of the first decisions you make when it comes to purchasing a new furnace.

Once you’ve decided which fuel you’ll be using (you may opt to change your fuel source from your present one when upgrading), then compare the AFUE ratings on furnaces with that fuel source.

Also, be sure to compare apples to apples—don’t compare an electric furnace’s AFUE to a gas furnace’s rating. They’re totally different. And as mentioned above, if you’re doing a cost analysis on your upcoming furnace purchase, be sure to factor the fuel costs into your analysis.

Even though an electric furnace may have an AFUE rating of 100 percent, the cost of electricity is higher than gas. So while the gas furnace’s AFUE rating of 96 percent indicates it’s more costly in its efficiency than the electric furnace, it’s actually be cheaper for you to go with the gas furnace due to the high cost of electricity.

 Two Furnace Questions

Before choosing a furnace for your Cedarburg home, you should clarify how the equipment fits into your housing plans and what fuel you plan to use:

• What are the long-term goals for your home?

If you’re only staying in your home for a few years, purchasing a furnace with a lower AFUE may be the way to go. It will cost less, and there’s no way to recoup the price difference between a higher-efficiency unit and the energy costs saved in just a couple years. If you’re planning on retiring in this home, then you would definitely recoup that cost and go on to save more with your energy bills throughout the years.

• What type of furnace fuel will I use?

Your home’s location may determine the answer. Do you live in a suburban area where most homes use natural gas or a rural area that prefers oil? Are you in a remote region where propane is your only option or an urban location that offers every fuel type?  Our K Komfort Heating & Cooling professionals can answer your questions about fuel pros and cons in Wisconsin. The fuel your furnace uses now may not be the most efficient. You may find another fuel more cost effective.

Once you know the answers to these two questions, you can competently shop for your new furnace directly comparing AFUEs and by factoring in annual heatings costs.

Get Professional Furnace Advice!

Our experts at K Komfort Heating & Cooling are knowledgeable about furnace AFUE, cost, brands, sizes, fuel, and features that can save you money on energy costs. Let us assess your Cedarburg, WI, home and recommend the best solution for your heating needs. Call us at 262-375-0075 or request service online.