We are lucky in the Kansas City area because we have 4 pretty distinct seasons. As we get into September, the nights will start to get cool. As a result, you may need to turn on your furnace to take out the chill.
With winter around the corner, those furnaces will get a full workout. Consequently, your utility bill is then impacted by the amount of gas or electricity you use to heat your home.
The efficiency of your furnace takes on added importance, mainly because its efficiency determines how much money you spend on your heating.
80%, 90%, 95% – What Does It All Mean?
Furnaces use an AFUE rating, which stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The rating tells you how much heat is produced relative to how much energy it takes to produce that heat.
In simple terms, an 80% efficient furnace will produce 80% heat and 20% waste. This waste is what rises through your furnace flue.
In dollar terms, for every $1 you spend on your heating bill, you are getting $.80 worth of heat. So the higher efficient furnace you have, the more money you save.
So for a 95% efficient furnace, you receive $.95 worth of heat!
How Efficient Is Your Current Furnace You May Ask?
With your current furnace, it really depends on the age. Older systems tend to lose efficiency over time, so you may have a furnace that is only operating between 60 and 70% efficient.
So just by replacing the furnace in your KC home with a standard efficient unit (which right now is an 80% efficient furnace), you could gain between 10 and 20% savings on your gas bill in the winter.
Replacing your old furnace with a higher efficient furnace (like a 95% furnace), can save you a whopping 25 – 35%!
When Is The Best Time To Replace Your Furnace?
When a furnace starts to accumulate expensive repairs, it’s time to replace that system. Especially if you have an older furnace that is incredibly inefficient. You not only can save money on repairs, but your utility bills should also see immediate savings.
And those savings can go toward the cost of a new furnace for your Kansas City area home.