Posts Tagged ‘Boiler Installation’

Media Heating Guide: Boilers vs. Furnaces

Monday, October 15th, 2012

One issue that some Media homeowners face when they’re thinking about getting a new heating system is whether they should get a boiler or a furnace. There are distinct advantages to both systems and your decision will largely be based on your current situation and your budget. In this blog post we will discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of both systems. If you have other questions, contact your local Media heating company  to speak to a trained heating technician.

The Difference Between Boilers and Furnaces

Let’s start out with some general information about the two systems. A boiler does just that: it boils water. The water is circulated throughout your house in copper or PEX pipes and gives off its heat through a number of different components including radiators in each room.

A furnace, on the other hand, heats the air and uses a fan and duct system to circulate the air to each room in your house.

The Advantages of a Furnace

One main advantage of furnaces is that they are typically less expensive to purchase than a new boiler. The furnace’s fan system, when it is run without the heating element, can be used to cool your home when paired with a central AC.

The Advantages of a Boiler System

Boiler systems typically are much quieter to run. There isn’t a moving fan which can create a lot of noise. Boilers can provide more even heating throughout your house.  Finally, because a boiler doesn’t move air around, it may reduce the amount of allergens that are passed into your home’s air supply.

The Bottom Line

If you’re at the point where you’re ready for a new heating system and are open to installing either system, then the choice may come down to budget and personal preference. Some people prefer the heat provided by a furnace and vice versa. If you have questions about putting in a new furnace or boiler in your Media home, then call the heating experts at Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning. We can help you analyze your heating needs and take your budget into account as well. Contact us today.

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What’s the Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler? A Question from Concordville

Monday, November 28th, 2011

When it comes time to choose a new heating system for your Concordville home, there is a good chance your choices are limited. Most homes already have either forced air or radiant heat equipment installed so choosing something different would be costly and unnecessary. But, if you have a choice or are moving into a new home, here are some things to consider regarding the difference between furnaces and boilers.

What a Furnace Does

A furnace uses a fuel like gas, oil or electricity to heat a series of coils in the device. The furnace then uses a blower to push air across the heated coil and into an air handler where it can be distributed throughout your home. This is called a forced air system and requires a combination of ducts and filters to keep air moving smoothly and cleanly throughout your home.

If you have access to gas, a gas furnace with an AFUE of 90% or higher is one of the most efficient and cost effective ways to heat your home.

What a Boiler Does

A boiler is different in that it uses water as the heat carrying medium, not air. Boilers still need gas, oil or electricity to heat up the water in the system, though they often use less of it than a traditional furnace – depending on the age of the furnace and the boiler. After water is heated in the boiler, your radiant heating system carries the water to baseboard heaters or radiators throughout your home. This form of heat is preferred by many because it doesn’t require ductwork (which requires extra maintenance) or extra air filtering and it is more humidity friendly in a large home.

In terms of efficiency, both boilers and furnaces are efficient if you’re buying a new model. Capacity is also evenly matched. Boilers take the edge in comfort level and if you have the budget, you can install radiant floor heating which allows you to pipe hot water directly into bathroom floors or your living space so that you never again need to walk on cold floors. Another benefit of radiant heating is that the system will hold heat much longer and then release it over time instead of turning on and off a lot as a furnace tends to do.

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