It’s winter again in McKinney and Frisco. The frostiest months of winter seem to 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 keep your home warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s explore.
Different Designs 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 Models
Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is transported to radiators throughout 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 let off 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 work similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is transported through the radiant system when it has reached your desired temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not usually 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 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 lessen the allergens in the air.
Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a tough decision. Although they may be more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to hear more about the high-efficiency boilers available in McKinney and Frisco, give Bell Mechanical Services a call at 888-863-0560.