How efficient are electric furnaces?
On One Hand: Reliable HeatingElectric furnaces have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 95 to 100 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. AFUE measures how efficiently an appliance utilizes its fuel over the course of a typical year.On the Other: Watch the CostsHowever, the U.S. Department of Energy maintains that despite the high efficiency rating, electric furnaces can be more expensive to operate than other forms of heating because of the high cost of electricity in many parts of the country.Bottom LineIt’s clear that electric furnaces are highly efficient, and the Department of Energy says that the relative high cost of electrify can be offset with the addition of a heat pump, which makes electric furnaces even more efficient.Source:U.S.
