A more efficient furnace can dramatically lower your
operating costs. A new furnace can also save you money in higher reliability and fewer service calls.
Use this map and chart to calculate your savings. First, use the map to locate the zone where you live. Then, find the AFUE ratting of your current system. Then, use the chart to find your
approximate annual heating costs. The difference between your current cost and that of a higher-AFUE unit is your estimated annual savings.
Potential Annual Heating Savings
Zone
65% AFUE
80% AFUE
92% AFUE
1
$1,596
$1,297
$1,127
2
$1,418
$1,152
$1,002
3
$1,082
$875
$764
4
$957
$777
$676
5
$534
$474
$412
(Based on the standard DOE test procedure. Furnace model:
heating capacity of 70,000 Btu/hr. Usage assumption: 2,080 heating load hours per year. Assumed
gas price: $0.40/therm, the Federal average gas price in the U.S.)
* AFUE: The federal government has established Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings
to allow you to compare the efficiency of furnaces. The higher the AFUE percentage is (e.g. 90%),
the more efficient the furnace.