Can Boilers Be Used for HVAC?

It’s winter again in Carpentersville. The frostiest 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 heat your home. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer look.

There Are Different Kinds 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 all of the rooms in a home.

Steam Models

Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is sent to radiators around your home. Creating more steam amplifies 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 usually powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers run similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you increase the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has reached your perfect temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not traditionally utilized outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Using a Boiler

Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you most likely won’t hear a boiler working at all unless there’s a problem 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.

Picking 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 Carpentersville, give Controlled Comfort HVAC a call at 224-412-8308.