Written on: December 13, 2021
At Downey Energy, we make furnaces and boilers our business. Whether you use heating oil, natural gas, or propane in your Hudson Valley home, Downey Energy can help keep you warm because we sell, install, maintain, and repair gas boilers, oil boilers, gas furnaces, and oil furnaces. We’re also the region’s leader in reliable and safe propane and heating oil delivery.
The efficiency of an appliance matters for a lot of reasons. When it comes to boilers and furnaces, efficiency is the primary criteria you should consider. If you’re in the market for a new boiler or furnace, you should buy the most efficient model you can afford. And if you have an older boiler or furnace, you should consider upgrading to a more efficient model. It will lower your energy bills and your carbon footprint at the same time.
How do you determine the efficiency of a boiler and furnace? You look for its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. In much the same way your car’s MPG (miles per gallon) rating tells you how efficiently it uses fuel, the AFUE for a boiler or furnace represents the amount of fuel (e.g., heating oil or propane) the heating system uses compared to how much heat it generates. The higher the AFUE, the more energy-efficient the unit is.
For example, if a furnace or boiler has an AFUE rating of 90, that means that 90% of the fuel it consumes is heating your home and 10% is lost during the conversion process. Explained another way, for every dollar you spend on fuel for a boiler or furnace with a 90 AFUE rating, 90 cents is actually going towards the heating of your home, and ten cents is lost up the chimney or elsewhere. The higher the AFUE rating, the more heat you’re getting for each dollar or gallon of fuel.
At present, the US Department of Energy recommends using the highest-efficiency unit you can afford, especially if you live in a region like the Hudson Valley that experiences harsh winters. Keep in mind, a higher AFUE saves you money, but it also translates to lower emissions, which is good for the environment.
If you’re not sure how your boiler or furnace rates, check its faceplate. That’s where the AFUE rating is usually located. Want to know how your boiler or furnace compares? Here are the ranges:
Trust Downey Energy for quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. We also provide heating oil delivery and propane delivery you can count on. Downey Energy has been serving residential and commercial clients in the Hudson Valley for more than a century. We have earned the loyalty of our customers through our dedication to service and reliability. Let us deliver for you as well.
Downey Energy operates in Dutchess County, Orange County, Putnam County, and northern Westchester County, New York. Click here to view our service area.
Contact us today to learn more or become a customer!
