It’s that time of year again in Arlington. The frostiest months of winter can bring about more service and repair calls, which often 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 take a look.
Different Designs 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 each room in a home.
Steam Models
Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is sent to radiators around your home. Producing more steam heightens the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to let off the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and returns to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are typically powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot Water Boilers
Hot water boilers operate similarly but circulate hot water around your home instead of steam. When you increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped 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 usually utilized outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of Using a Boiler
Boilers are known for their nearly soundless operation. In fact, you more than likely won’t hear a boiler operating at all unless there’s an issue with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another benefit is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping lessen the allergens in the air.
Selecting the right heating system for your home can be a tough decision. Although they can be more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to find out more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Arlington, give Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 360-255-5857.