Furnace efficiency is measured by AFUE, short for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a simple percentage that gives consumers a basis to compare energy efficiency among similar makes and models of furnaces at a glance. AFUE isn’t the only element that impacts your efficiency and operating costs. Other factors include the airtightness of your home, the amount of insulation, and how many hours a day you typically run the furnace.
Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for November, 2014
Do You Understand AFUE? Here’s Why You Should
Thursday, November 27th, 2014An Oversized Furnace Causes 2 Major Problems
Tuesday, November 25th, 2014To ensure comfort and optimal efficiency, your home’s furnace must be sized accurately just like the air conditioner. Instead of using a rule of thumb to estimate the size, an HVAC contractor should perform a load calculation and consider key factors such as the home’s square footage, orientation, insulation level, windows and ductwork system.
How Do Your Know If Your Heat Exchanger is Cracked?
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014Dust Mites Could Be One of the Allergy-Causing Culprits in Your Home
Tuesday, November 11th, 2014One morning you wake up and your nose is runny, you’re sneezing and itchy, and you’re having breathing difficulties. At first you might think you’ve just picked up a virus or common allergy, but you could be suffering from a dust-mite allergy. Every home has dust mites, and they can cause a variety of health problems for people who are sensitive to them. Here are some facts about dust mites and how to reduce their presence in your home.
Time to Assess the Insulation in Your Attic
Thursday, November 6th, 2014Air leaks and poor insulation in the attic will make it more difficult to keep your home cool during the summer and warm in the winter. While air leaks allow conditioned air to escape and hot or cold air to infiltrate your home in winter and summer, respectively, inadequate or missing insulation allows heat to transfer in and out. Both issues force your HVAC system to work harder to compensate. Before the cool fall weather arrives, assess the insulation in your attic to determine if it needs more.
When Was the Last Time You Had Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?
Tuesday, November 4th, 2014A lint-clogged dryer vent is a serious matter. If you can’t recall the last time your dryer vent was inspected, then you’re definitely overdue for a clean-out. Consider the lint build-up in your dryer venting as flammable as tinder and, therefore, a potential fire hazard. Removing the lint from your dryer’s lint trap each time you dry a load of wet clothes isn’t enough. Having your dryer vent cleaned not only improves your dryer’s efficiency, it prevents catastrophic fires and loss of life.