It’s winter again in Menomonie and western Wisconsin. The coldest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which often 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 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
You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to make steam, which is transported to radiators all over your home. Generating more steam increases 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 goes to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are primarily 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 chosen 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 almost soundless operation. In fact, you most likely 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 offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another bonus is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping decrease the allergens in the air.
Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a hard decision. Although they are often 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 Menomonie and western Wisconsin, give Halverson Brothers Inc a call at 715-352-4052.