The Boiler Difference
Boilers are similar to furnaces and heat pumps in that they heat your home. But a boiler heats your home differently than other systems. A boiler generates hot water or steam and uses that to heat your home.
Hot water is typically distributed by way of baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems, while steam is distributed throughout your home via pipes to steam radiators. All this heat then heats the objects in your home, like your furniture, floors, and walls, and those items then radiate that warmth to heat your home.
In the majority of cases, boilers are sealed systems, which means they do not waste the water they use. Instead, they recirculate and reuse the heated water or water from the steam. This process is one of the factors making boilers so efficient, as the boiler uses little energy to reheat the returning water since there is still heat contained in it.
There are several types of furnace filters but all filters should be checked monthly and changed as needed, and if all else fails, consult your owner’s manual.
Yes! But only with a proper cover. Custom covers are available at a very affordable cost. Covering the air conditioner prevents snow and ice from building up and resting on the fan blade and motor causing unwanted wear and tear on the unit.
We recommend having your furnace cleaned every fall. It is important to have the furnace inspected by a professional to ensure that it is operating safely and at peak efficiency. Proper adjustment can lower your heating bills and performing standard maintenance can prevent breakdowns before they occur.
The average life of a furnace ranges from 18 to 22 years. Sure some may last longer, but those that do have usually been maintained every year.
Yes! During the winter months while the furnace is operating, the heat generated evaporates the water vapor in the air leaving your home feeling dry and possibly causing a scratchy throat, bloody noses, and causing woodwork to shrink and crack. It is important to maintain proper humidity in your home for your comfort and to protect your valuables. Maintaining proper humidity could also lower utility bills by as much as 15%.
As your furnace gets older, it becomes more important to have it inspected every year to ensure safe operation. If your furnace is getting older and is prone to problems, you may want to replace it. If your furnace has a faulty heat exchanger, you may want to replace it. Today’s furnaces are much more efficient than older units with efficiencies as high as 96.6%.
Yes! Air Conditioning systems are primarily electrical, so it is important to have the electrical components checked to ensure that a faulty device will not cause larger, more expensive failures. The most important reason to have your system checked is the system’s pump, called the compressor. The compressor is cooled by refrigerant, not air. If the system charge is even slightly low, it could cause the compressor to overheat, causing damage.
Yes, having your ducts cleaned will improve your indoor air quality as well as keep your heating and cooling system clean and operating properly.
It could be that your thermostat needs to be adjusted. However, it is more likely to be the humidity level in your home. When the humidity level is lowered, it causes the moisture to be removed from the surface of your skin, causing you to feel cold. Installing a humidifier in your home can save you money by allowing you to keep the thermostat at a lower setting.
Yes! Today’s high-efficiency units can usually cut utility bills in half.
