3 Ways to Tell if Your Heater is Energy Efficient
Colder weather has officially arrived in New England and with it an increase in our monthly energy bills. According to WCVB, the monthly cost of propane, natural gas, and oil are likely to increase this year, costing consumers more than ever to heat our homes.
Despite the increase in costs of propane, natural gas, and oil, a significant reason your heating bill may have increased is the efficiency of your heating system itself. Most heating systems will need replacing after 20 to 30 years of consistent usage. And, when compared to their newer, more technologically advanced counterparts, older heating systems are much less efficient and likely require more maintenance and repairs to remain operational.
So, how can you tell if your heater is energy efficient? There are three key things to consider when determining your system’s energy efficiency. Read further to learn more!
Track your energy bills
The simplest method of determining whether your heater is energy efficient is to take a look at your most recent energy bills and compare monthly costs to others within your area. So, if your heating system is requiring more energy to heat your home than other area households, your energy bill would be more costly in comparison.
Mass.Gov provides an estimated heating cost chart for the upcoming 2021/2022 year with estimated expenditures per household for homes relying on oil, propane, and natural gas. If your monthly energy bills are appearing to cost more than the estimated expenditures, it may be time to further evaluate your heating system’s energy efficiency.
Remember: the more energy efficient your system is, the less monthly costs to heat your home.
Do the math
Every heating system has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE), which measures how efficiently your heater can convert fuel into energy. The higher the percentage, the more efficient your system is. So, a furnace with a 90% AFUE uses 90% of its energy to warm your home.
New high-efficiency systems have AFUEs between 90%-98.5%, compared to older systems that range between 56%-70%. For homes in colder climates, the higher the AFUE, the less energy and money is needed to heat your home.
To find your heating systems AFUE, check your manual or the stickers located on your unit. Or, you can calculate your systems AFUE with the following equation:
AFUE Rating = Output Energy / Input Energy
Get a tune-up
The best way to make your heating system most energy efficiency is to schedule regular maintenance by a trusted HVAC technician. Annual maintenance not only helps you avoid costly repairs, extends the longevity of your system, and maintains your heater’s warranty, but an HVAC technician can also help you determine whether your system is working properly and efficiently. They can also determine when replacing your system will be more cost and energy efficient than going ahead with significant repairs.
Energy efficiency is a major component of your heating and cooling system, so it’s important to understand how your current system is operating and if improvements are needed. If you have a question regarding your furnace or boiler, our trusted and certified team of HVAC professionals are here to help.
Whether you need 24-7 emergency service or a solution to improve your indoor comfort—at home and at work—call us at 781-224-2400 or submit a convenient contact form.
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