How Are Boilers an HVAC System?

It’s cold again in The Bay Area. 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 various products on the market that will ensure you’re 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 utilizes either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to all of the rooms in a home.

Steam Models

Picture a boiler as a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is transported to radiators around your home. Producing more steam heightens the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to relieve 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 usually 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 increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is transported through the radiant system when it has achieved your perfect temperature. Water boilers can be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly utilized outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Heating Your Home with a Boiler

Boilers are known for their nearly soundless operation. In fact, you probably 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 offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another perk is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping decrease 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 hear more about the high-efficiency boilers available in The Bay Area, give Contra Costa Heating & AC a call at 510-343-9841.