What is a boiler?

January 20, 2015

The coldest months of winter Lake Forest typically find us with more service and repair calls, some of which result in homeowners needing new heating systems. You can find a large number of home heating products on the market, from furnaces to boilers. Many people are unfamiliar with boilers. If you’re one of them, we have some information for you.

Types of boilers

Boilers are made in both steam and hot water models. Both supply heat throughout a home using either a radiant system that uses a boiler to heat water, or through forced air heating systems.

Steam boilers

Steam boilers are kind of like big tea kettles. They boil water until the steam builds up to create enough pressure to push heat to radiators across your home. The heat is released into your rooms by air moving across the radiators. The cycle continues after the steam then cools and condenses to water, which then goes back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are usually fueled with natural gas or propane.

Hot water boilers

Like steam boilers, hot water boilers circulate warmth throughout your home, but with hot water in place of steam. When the water reaches your desired temperature, it is forced through the radiant system. Gas is usually used to power water boilers, however, you will find oil-fired boilers in New England and the Northeast United States.

Benefits of boilers for home heating

Many people appreciate boilers because of their extremely quiet operation. In fact, it’s almost impossible to hear a boiler operating at all unless it’s broken. They are also known for providing comfortable and even heat thanks to the design of the system with pipes installed within the walls or under the floors. Boilers can also provide relief, in non-forced air heating systems, to allergy suffers because they don’t blow air around and spread allergens.

Even though they can be more expensive than furnaces, a lot of people find that boilers are a great heating system for them. If you want more information about high-efficiency boilers in Lake Forest, look to 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.. Give us a call at 949-204-0859 or schedule an appointment with us online.