It’s that time of year again in West Columbia. The iciest 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 a variety of products on the market that will ensure you’re 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 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 every room in a home.
Steam boilers
Picture a boiler as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is directed 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 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 typically powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot water boilers
Hot water boilers run similarly, but circulate hot water all over 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 met your desired temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil fired boilers are not traditionally used outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of heating your home with a boiler
Boilers are known for their nearly soundless operation. In fact, you more than likely won’t hear a boiler working 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 provide a more comfortable and even heat. Another perk 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 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 learn more about the high efficiency boilers available in West Columbia, give Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. a call at 803-265-4208.