It’s that time of year again in Kutztown and Breinigsville. The coldest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which usually results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are a variety of products on the market that will ensure you’re warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s explore.
Types of boilers
A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it uses either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to all of the rooms in a home.
Steam boilers
Picture a boiler as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is sent to radiators all over your home. Generating more steam increases the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to relieve the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and heads back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are primarily powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot water boilers
Hot water boilers work similarly, but circulate hot water around your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is sent through the radiant system when it has met your chosen temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil fired boilers are not commonly used outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of heating your home with a boiler
Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you probably won’t hear a boiler operating at all unless there’s something wrong with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can provide a more comfortable and even heat. Another bonus is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping decrease the allergens in the air.
Picking the right heating system for your home can be a tough decision. Although they are often more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to hear more about the high efficiency boilers available in Kutztown and Breinigsville, give Moyer Total Indoor Comfort a call at 484-646-3363.