Energy efficiency is critical when it comes to your heater. Heating your home during the winter can become expensive, especially if your heater is outdated and not performing at its best. Without an energy-efficient heater, you could be throwing money away. Unfortunately, knowing if your heater is working efficiently is not always easy. Your heater’s energy efficiency also drops a certain percentage each year. Below, you can learn three easy ways to measure your heater’s efficiency. 

Check the AFUE Rating

AFUE stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. Your heater’s AFUE rating is the best way to determine its heating efficiency. This rating measures how effectively and efficiently your heater converts fuel into energy. The higher the rating, the more efficient your heater operations. 

You can find your heater’s AFUE rating from the owner’s manual or a sticker placed on the heating unit. The AFUE rating should be expressed as a percentage. For instance, if your heater’s AFUE rating is 95%, most of the fuel is being used efficiently, and there is only a 5% energy loss. 

Experts agree your AFUE rating must be 90% or higher to be considered energy-efficient. The minimum rating allowed in the industry is 78%. Contact the manufacturer for this vital information if you cannot find your AFUE rating.

Consider Your Heater’s Age

As your heater grows older, its energy efficiency begins to drop. The average lifespan of a heater is 15 to 20 years. Your AFUE will decline by around 5% a year. The decline can increase with a lack of maintenance and repair issues. Once your heater reaches ten years old, its energy efficiency has dropped considerably. Many homeowners upgrade at this point to save money on their heating costs. 

Check Your Electric Bills

Your energy costs will fluctuate depending on the weather. To figure out your heater’s energy efficiency, we recommend comparing your electric bills from month to month. This comparison can help determine if your heater’s energy efficiency is fading. If your heating bills are suddenly skyrocketing, consider a replacement.  

Get Professional Help

If you are concerned about your heater’s efficiency, contact Brand Heating & Air Conditioning today. We have provided homeowners with complete HVAC services since 1992. We are committed to helping our customers find the perfect heating system to keep their homes comfortable and their electric bills as low as possible. We hire the best HVAC experts in the industry and stand behind our work 100%. Call the office today to schedule your appointment. We proudly serve Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Kokomo, and surrounding communities.