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(NAPSI)-There's good news for homeowners who want their home to be energy efficient and still save money. There are simple steps that can help them take control of their heating bills. This can be important, since the average family spends approximately $2,200 a year just on energy bills--nearly half of this amount goes toward simply heating and cooling the home. In some cases, taking control of energy costs may mean replacing an older furnace with a new, more energy-efficient heating system. What Is Efficiency? An efficiency rating tells you what portion of the total energy a furnace uses is actually delivered to the home as heat. The higher the efficiency, the better the furnace functions. For example, a furnace that is 80 percent efficient delivers 80 percent of the fuel consumed to the house as heat. Efficiency Ratings A furnace's overall energy performance is typically expressed as its annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. The higher the rating, the more efficient the furnace and the greater amount of heat it delivers for your heating dollar. When shopping for a high-efficiency furnace, look for one with a rating of 90 or higher. For example, Luxaire offers modulating gas furnaces with an AFUE as high as 98 percent. These compact units are ENERGY STAR rated and offer variable-speed technology for improved comfort, reduced humidity, lower sound levels and improved efficiency. When you purchase a furnace from Luxaire, a portion of the sale goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. Living Efficiently There are other upgrades to consider that will help to decrease the amount of energy your home consumes and increase the amount you save. For example, according to ENERGY STAR, installing a programmable thermostat at the same time as your new furnace will allow you to better control the on-off cycles of your heating system, causing it to work less to maintain the desired temperature. Plus, a programmable thermostat alone can save you about $180 a year in energy costs. Talk To Your Dealer Your contractor can help analyze your home and help you select the Luxaire furnace that best fits your needs by explaining the efficiency features and properly sizing your new unit. He or she can also help you take advantage of tax credits that are available from many local utilities and under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. To learn more, visit the Luxaire Web site at www.luxaire.com or call (877) 874-7378. |
Making a home more energy efficient can mean more comfort and increased savings. Word Count: 419 |
