We’re finally starting to get a bit of a dip in daily temperatures as we move further into fall. Before too long, you’re going to be relying entirely on your heating system to keep your home comfortable during the day. If you don’t currently have a reliable heating system to use during the winter months, now is the time to have one installed. You should choose carefully when it comes to installing a new heating system, as each one is suited to a different set of needs. Have a look at some of the ways that installing a boiler can help you this heating season.
How Boilers Operate
Boilers operate a bit differently from the kinds of heating systems that most people are used to. The vast majority of home heating systems are forced air systems, using ductwork to distribute warm air throughout the building. Boilers use a method of heating called radiant heating, which transmits heat directly through solid objects.
A boiler operates by heating water, and then pumping it through a series of pipes installed in the subfloor of each room. The heat from the water moves up through the pipes, through the floor, and into the room. This method of heating offers a number of unique advantages compared to other heating system types.
How You Benefit
First and foremost, it is important to understand the benefits of using water as a thermal medium rather than air. Water can actually absorb much more heat than air can, and can store it for longer. This means that it actually takes less energy to keep a home heated for a long period of time using a boiler than when using a forced air system. Forced air systems also have to deal with ducts, which are known to develop leaks. Duct leaks are responsible for losses of up to 30% of the average forced air system’s output. Forced air systems also have a tendency to generate hot and cold spots in rooms that they heat. Boilers provide much more even heating throughout the room, and don’t create hot or cold spots.
Boilers also have a reputation for improving indoor air quality, an especially important thing during the winter. The ducts in the average home are not cleaned very often, which leads to them becoming a haven for a variety of contaminants. These include dust, pollen, dander, and germs of various kinds. Starting a forced air heating system has a tendency to expose you to all of the contaminants that might be lurking in your ducts, increasing the chances of you getting sick. Since boilers don’t require ducts in order to work, you don’t have to worry about increased contaminant exposure. This may not seem that important, but you’d be surprised how much healthier you’ll feel with better indoor air quality.
DB Heating & Cooling, Inc. provides boiler installation services throughout Mahwah, NJ. If you need a boiler installed or serviced, contact us today for an appointment. We’ll make sure that you get the perfect boiler solution for your needs.