It’s that time of year again in Sacramento. 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 keep your home 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 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 all of the rooms in a home.
Steam Models
You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is directed to radiators around your home. Generating more steam heightens the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to release 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 work 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 achieved your desired temperature. Water boilers can be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly found outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of Getting Heat from 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 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.
Choosing 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 find out more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Sacramento, give Bishop’s HVAC a call at 916-591-6889.