Can Boilers Be Used for HVAC?

It’s cold again in Richmond. The frostiest months of winter tend to bring about more service and repair calls, which often results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are various products on the market that will keep your home warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer look.

Types of Boilers

A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it takes 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 Models

You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is sent to radiators around 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 let off the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and goes to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are primarily powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers operate similarly but circulate hot water throughout your home instead of steam. When you boost the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has reached your desired temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly utilized 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 most likely won’t hear a boiler working 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 give you a more comfortable and even heat. Another bonus is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping reduce the allergens in the air.

Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a difficult decision. Although they may be 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 Richmond, give Refrigeration Systems Ltd. a call at 778-693-2532.