It’s that time of year again in Kankakee. The frostiest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which sometimes results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are a number of products on the market that will ensure you’re warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s take a look.
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
Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is transported to radiators throughout your home. Generating more steam amplifies 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 primarily powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot Water Boilers
Hot water boilers run similarly but circulate hot water around 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 chosen temperature. Water boilers are able to 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 Using a Boiler
Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you most 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 bonus is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping lessen the allergens in the air.
Selecting the right heating system for your home can be a difficult 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 Kankakee, give Home Furniture, Plumbing & Heating a call at 815-933-8213.