It’s that time of year again in Phoenix. The frostiest 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 various products on the market that will heat your home. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer look.
Different Designs 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
Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is directed to radiators around your home. Producing more steam heightens 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 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 turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is sent through the radiant system when it has achieved your desired temperature. Water boilers are able to 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 Getting Heat from a Boiler
Boilers are known for their almost soundless operation. In fact, you most likely won’t hear a boiler operating 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 offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another bonus 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 Phoenix, give Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc a call at 602-789-3315.