It’s cold again in Columbia. The coldest 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 number 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 takes 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

You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is transported to radiators all over your home. Generating more steam heightens 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 run similarly but circulate hot water throughout your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has met your chosen temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not usually utilized 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 running 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 offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another benefit is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping decrease the allergens in the air.

Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a difficult decision. Although they may be more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to find out more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Columbia, give Watts Electric & AC a call at 601-736-7362.