We know it’s still pretty hot outside but now is the time to make sure your heating system is working properly. Heating your home can be expensive! If you’re not careful, you can end up paying a shocking energy bill.

Many people think they should just control their heat throughout the winter to lower their energy bills, but it’s simply not enough. The more efficient your heater is, the less it should cost to run. Here at River City Total Maintenance, we want to make sure that your heating system is operating at 100%. Here are three ways to find out if your heater is working efficiently.

Know Your AFUE Rating

The annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE, is the best way to determine your heater’s ideal efficiency. An AFUE rating is a percentage that measures how efficiently your heater can convert fuel into energy. This means that the higher the AFUE, the more efficient the heater is.

Look for your heater’s AFUE rating in its user’s manual or on a sticker located inside the furnace cabinet. If you’re unable to locate the rating through either of these options, you can contact the manufacturer or search on the internet.

Consider Your Heater’s Age

Knowing your heater’s AFUE rating is a great start to evaluating your heating efficiency, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story. Even if you have taken great care of your equipment over the years, components will begin to wear down with age and steady use. If you think that your heater is too old, contact us today to help!

Compare Energy Bills

It’s totally normal for energy bills to fluctuate from time to time. Comparing the amount of energy that you’re using each month can help you identify if your heater is losing efficiency. If your energy bill is higher this year than the same time last year, your heating is not running as well as it should be.

There’s a reason why we have TOTAL Maintenance in our name. For ALL of your heating and air conditioning needs, call River City Total Maintenance.