AFUE Ratings Displayed so You Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is the universal efficiency measurement of furnaces and boilers. New furnaces and boilers are required by the Federal Trade Commission to display their AFUE rating on the box so consumers can compare heating efficiencies of different models and get the most bang for their buck. AFUE is a measure of how efficient a furnace or boiler is at converting fuel to heat over the course of the year.
These days, most American homes stay warm in the winter by using furnaces or boilers. Furnaces heat air and then distribute it to your living areas using existing ductwork. Boilers provide either hot water or steam for heating. Of the two options, steam boilers operate at a higher temperature than hot water boilers and are inherently less efficient, but nearly all manufacturers today offer multiple high-efficiency models of both furnaces and boilers.
AFUE is the ratio of annual heat generated by the furnace or boiler compared to the total annual energy it had to consume to create that much heat. For example, a furnace with an AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the energy in the fuel used by the furnace becomes heat for the home while the remaining 10% escapes. AFUE doesn’t factor in energy loss due to duct systems or piping, which can account for as much as 35% of the furnace’s energy output, especially when ducts are located in partially conditioned or unconditioned space like the attic, garage, or crawlspace.
One of the benefits of an all-electric furnace or boiler is that both carry no risk of energy loss through either the flue or chimney. The AFUE rating for an all-electric furnace or boiler is generally between 95% and 100%! The lower values are attributed to outdoor units because they have greater jacket heat loss. Despite their high efficiency levels, the high price of electricity around the country makes all-electric furnaces or boilers a decidedly uneconomic choice.
The Department of Energy has set the minimum allowed AFUE rating for furnaces and boilers at 78%. In the future, minimum AFUE requirements for furnaces will be based on the type of fuel consumed (gas, oil, or electricity), if the unit is weatherized or not, and whether the unit is designed for use in a mobile home.
Want to save $$ this winter? Call Raynor today to schedule an install for your very own high efficiency furnace!
A man, a plan, and a rundown red pick-up.
In 1993, Tom Raynor began taking on electrical construction and service jobs across southern New Jersey. With just one assistant and one beat up truck, Tom crisscrossed the state building a reputation for his small outfit as one that offered professional, hands-on service and reliable, high quality results. By 1994, it was official—Raynor Services was born!
What is Raynor Services today?
Today, we have evolved from a “man in the van” operation into a top-tier, “one stop shop” service company, specializing in electric, heating, cooling, generators and solar services. These days, that red pick-up has been upgraded to a fleet of ten fully stocked trucks.
Service the way it used to be.
Raynor Services has never lost the spirit of professional, hands-on service that it was founded on. Family owned and operated, we combine small business service with big business expertise. Raynor technicians are among the best in the industry. Each must complete a rigorous hiring process that includes a background check, illegal substance test and HVAC or electrical proficiency examination. They have been trained according to Nexstar principles, a best practices organization that adheres to a strict code of conduct and ethics.
The Raynor customer service experience.
Our technicians will call before they arrive and wear full uniforms. They will use shoe covers and floor mats and pride themselves in leaving homes as clean as they found them. They will provide you with an upfront price so there are no surprises and they will not do any work without your approval. When the job is completed, clients receive another “Happy Call” from the Raynor Services office to ensure every customer’s satisfaction.
Get the Raynor Advantage in your home today
We have knowledgeable phone operators standing by our service line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So call Raynor Services at 609-385-9697 today and let us know how we can make you smile.
