The harshest months of winter Erie generally find us with more service and repair calls, some of which result in homeowners discovering they need new heating systems. You can find a variety of home heating products on the market, from furnaces to boilers. Many people are unfamiliar with boilers. If you’re one of them, we can tell you what you need to know.
Types of boilers
Boilers are made in both steam and hot water models. Both supply heat throughout a home by means of 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 teapots. They boil water until the steam builds to create enough pressure to push heat to radiators across your home. The heat is emitted into your rooms by air moving across the radiators. The cycle continues as the steam then cools and condenses to water, which then goes back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are typically powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot water boilers
Like steam boilers, hot water boilers circulate warmth throughout your home, but with hot water rather than steam. When the water rasies to your desired temperature, it is pumped through the radiant system. Gas is often used to power water boilers, however, you will see oil-fired boilers in New England and the Northeast United States.
Benefits of boilers for home heating
Many people are partial to boilers because of their exceptionally quiet operation. In fact, it’s difficult to hear a boiler running at all unless there’s a problem with it. They are also known for providing comfortable and even heat due to the design of the system with pipes installed inside 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 pricier than furnaces, a lot of people find that boilers are the perfect heating system for them. If you want more information about high-efficiency boilers in Erie, look to Patterson & Stirling Inc. Give us a call at 814-308-0416 or schedule an appointment with us online.