Furnaces are popular home heating systems in the U.S. They heat air that then gets distributed throughout a home. Furnaces generally rely on electricity to do their job, which comes from the generation of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas and coal. By using electricity more efficiently with an eco-friendly system, you reduce the emissions and pollutants that get released into the atmosphere and save money at the same time. When you need your furnace replaced, consider the benefits that high-efficiency options offer.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

Heating systems come with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, which is the ratio of a furnace’s heat output versus the total annual fossil fuel energy that the system consumes. For example, if you see that a furnace has an AFUE of 90 percent, this means that 90 percent of the fuel that the furnace uses becomes heat and 10 percent of the energy is lost.

At the time of publication, the minimum AFUE rating that a residential fossil-fueled furnace can have is 78 percent. High-efficiency home heating systems tend to have AFUE values that range between 90 and 98 percent. It’s important to remember that an AFUE rating takes into consideration heat losses that come from components within a home, like piping or duct systems.

The Benefits of Energy-Efficient Heating Systems

• Help the environment: High-efficiency systems do not have to work as hard to heat your home, which saves energy. Using energy-efficient heating equipment can reduce its pollution by up to 50 percent.
• Lower energy bills: An efficient furnace uses up to 50 percent less energy to heat a home, which can lower your utility costs.
• Quieter home: Energy-efficient furnaces are quieter because they are the right size for your home and don’t need to continually cycle on and off to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• Less maintenance issues:  When heating equipment runs at an optimal level, it doesn’t need as many repairs, which saves you money over the long term.

Shopping for a Heating System

Look for the following when you are in the market for efficient heating equipment:

• The right size: Furnaces that are too big or too small have to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
• High AFUE ratings: The higher the rating, the more efficient a furnace is.
• Variable–speed motor: Just as it takes electricity to heat air or water, electricity gets the air or steam moving throughout a system. Consequently, equipment with variable-speed motors tends to be more efficient.
• Smart systems: Look for equipment that allows you to adjust the temperature for different rooms of the house.

You can further increase the efficiency of a heating system by using a programmable thermostat, sealing the duct work in your home and maintaining the equipment regularly. To learn more about the type of energy-efficient heating equipment that is best for your home, talk to a local heating and cooling contractor.

Guest post by:

Tony Spezza is the President of AAA Heating and Cooling, Inc. located in Portland, Oregon. Since 1961, they have provided home heating and cooling systems as well as services to ensure the highest degree of indoor air quality. You can follow AAA Heating and Cooling on Facebook and Google+.