In the bone-chilling weather of winter, a well-functioning furnace is your home’s knight in shining armor, providing a toasty warm haven against the chill. But how can you ensure your furnace is efficient and does not consume excess energy?

Utilize AFUE Standards

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) might sound like an intimidating scientific term, but in the world of furnaces, it’s your trusted efficiency yardstick. In essence, it’s a ratio that measures how well your furnace converts propane or natural gas into heat over a year.

Simply put, if a furnace has an AFUE rating of 90 percent, it means it effectively utilizes 90 percent of its fuel for heating, while the remaining 10 percent gets lost in the conversion process. The higher the AFUE percentage, the more efficient your furnace is and the lower your energy costs.

Understanding The Role of BTUs

BTUs (British Thermal Units) are another key in determining the efficiency of a furnace. One BTU refers to the energy required to raise a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

So, when you’re scanning the spec sheet of a furnace boasting 60,000 BTUs, it signifies its ability to generate that amount of heat per hour. The higher the BTU rating, the stronger the heating capabilities.

Tips for Determining the Right Furnace Size

Now armed with a solid understanding of AFUE and BTUs, it’s time to address a pivotal question: how do you determine the size of the furnace you need?

The formula HVAC technicians use to choose the right furnace size is as follows:

AFUE = (Total annual heat output in BTUs / Total annual energy input in BTUs) x 100

You also have to consider factors like square footage, insulation levels, and geographical climate. Fortunately, a qualified HVAC professional from trusted companies like Hilltop Plumbing can assess these factors accurately and recommend a suitable furnace size.

Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd. is a licensed bonded and insured plumbing and gas fitting company, proudly serving the White Rock and South Surrey area for over 50 years.

Trusted for over four decades, we have been providing plumbing & heating solutions, backed up by our guaranteed workmanship and parts warranty.