It’s cold again in Pella. The coldest months of winter can 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 get a closer look.
There Are Different Kinds of Boilers
A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it utilizes either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to every room in a home.
Steam Boilers
You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is sent to radiators throughout your home. Creating more steam amplifies 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 returns to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are usually powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot Water Boilers
Hot water boilers operate similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has reached your chosen temperature. Water boilers may 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 most likely won’t hear a boiler operating at all unless there’s a problem with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can give you a more comfortable and even heat. Another benefit is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping reduce the allergens in the air.
Selecting the right heating system for your home can be a hard decision. Although they are often more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to learn more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Pella, give Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating a call at 641-628-3621.
