What does the acronym AFUE stand for?

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. This term is used primarily in the context of heating appliances, such as furnaces and boilers, to measure the efficiency with which these systems convert fuel into usable heat over the course of a year. The AFUE rating is expressed as a percentage, which indicates how much of the fuel consumed is converted to heat versus how much is wasted.

For instance, an AFUE of 90% means that 90% of the energy in the fuel is used for heating the home, while the remaining 10% is lost in the process. Understanding AFUE is crucial for evaluating the performance of heating systems. A higher AFUE rating signifies a more efficient appliance, which can lead to lower fuel costs and reduced environmental impact.