It’s winter again in Heflin. The coldest months of winter tend 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 number of products on the market that will heat your home. 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 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 every room in a home.

Steam Boilers

Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is transported to radiators all over your home. Generating more steam amplifies 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 heads back 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 all over 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 achieved your perfect temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not traditionally used 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 running at all unless there’s something wrong with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can provide a more comfortable and even heat. Another benefit is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping reduce the allergens in the air.

Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a tough 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 Heflin, give Bain Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 256-270-1196.