It’s that time of year again in Cedar Rapids. The frostiest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which often results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are a variety of products on the market that will keep your home warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s explore.
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
Picture a boiler as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is transported to radiators all over your home. Generating more steam increases 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 heads back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are usually powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot Water Boilers
Hot water boilers run similarly but circulate hot water throughout your home instead of steam. When you increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is sent through the radiant system when it has reached your chosen temperature. Water boilers can be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not usually found outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.
Benefits of Getting Heat from a Boiler
Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you most likely won’t hear a boiler operating 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 give you a more comfortable and even heat. Another benefit 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 are often 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 Cedar Rapids, give Ilten's a call at 319-208-2351.