True or False: Steady state efficiency should be higher than the AFUE.

Steady state efficiency refers to the efficiency of a heating system when operating under stable conditions, usually at its design load where all components are balanced and performing optimally. This is typically measured under ideal conditions, where the system runs continuously without fluctuations in demand or energy input.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), on the other hand, is a measure of a furnace or boiler's efficiency in converting fuel to heat over the course of an entire year, accounting for variations in weather, usage patterns, and operational conditions. AFUE considers the average conditions experienced over time, including periods when the system may not be operating at peak efficiency due to starts and stops, as well as heat losses.

Because steady state efficiency is determined under these optimal and stable conditions, it is generally calculated to be higher than the AFUE, which reflects average performance over a longer duration and less than ideal operational circumstances. Thus, the inherent variability and inefficiencies that occur during real-world usage result in an AFUE that is typically lower than the steady state efficiency, affirming that the steady state efficiency should indeed be higher than the AFUE.