Fireplace & Stove Glossary
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE):
- operating efficiency rating for gas hearths represents the ratio of annual heat output to annual fuel input
- the higher the rating, the more efficient the appliance
- developed by the US Department of Energy
Btu Input:
- indicates the maximum amount of fuel a heater uses in one home
- how efficiently a unit uses its fuel is gotten by dividing its output by its input
Burn Time:
- indicates how long a wood or pellet fueled appliance will heat your home on one load of fuel
- important information for people interested in overnight burns or extending heating while you are away
Firebox Capacity
- dimensions of a wood burning appliance’s firebox
- most often expressed in cubic feet
- reveals ease of loading fuel and ease of attaining overnight or extended burns
Heating Capacity
- gives you some idea of how many square feet of warmth you can expect
Overnight Efficiency
- this percentage tells how well an appliance turns the fuel’s potential energy into usable heat in your home
- an average of combustion and heat transfer efficiencies
- in general, the higher the overall efficiency, the less fuel you will use
Steady State Efficiency
- a gas units efficiency during operation or how well it transforms fuel to warmth in your home
See Also