Energy Efficiency
AFUE
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency — the percentage of fuel your furnace converts into usable heat, where a 96% AFUE furnace turns 96 cents of every dollar of fuel into heat.
What Is a AFUE?
AFUE is the standard efficiency measurement for furnaces and boilers. An 80% AFUE furnace sends 20% of its fuel energy up the exhaust flue as waste heat. A 96% AFUE furnace wastes only 4%. High-efficiency furnaces (90%+ AFUE) are called condensing furnaces because they extract so much heat that the exhaust actually condenses into water, which is drained away. The federal minimum AFUE for gas furnaces is currently 80% for non-weatherized models.
Why It Matters for Your Home
If your current furnace has a 60-70% AFUE (common for units from the 1980s-90s), upgrading to a 95%+ AFUE model could reduce your heating fuel costs by 25-35%. With Energy Trust of Oregon rebates often available for high-efficiency furnaces, the payback period can be surprisingly short, especially with Southern Oregon's cold winters.
Ready to see how much you could save with a high-efficiency furnace? Call Trademark Tek at 541-500-0663.
Quick Facts
Category
Energy Efficiency
Also Known As
AFUE
