It’s winter again in Wausau. 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 a variety of products on the market that will ensure you’re warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer 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 each room in a home.
Steam Boilers
Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is directed to radiators throughout your home. Creating 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 goes to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are typically powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot Water Boilers
Hot water boilers work similarly but circulate hot water throughout your home instead of steam. When you increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has achieved your perfect temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly used outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of Heating Your Home with a Boiler
Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you probably won’t hear a boiler working at all unless there’s a problem 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 benefit is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping lessen the allergens in the air.
Choosing 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 Wausau, give Gilray Heating and Cooling a call at 715-301-0727.