Two Home Heating Options

Most homes in the USA are heated by a furnace or a boiler.  When you're deciding which kind of heater you want installed in your home you ought to understand the differences between a furnace and a boiler so you can make the very best investment.  Compare how each unit heats the home and understand how to upgrade your central heating for energy efficiency to make the best investment of your hard-earned money.

How Do Furnaces Heat a Space? 

Furnaces will heat air and then distribute the heated air through ducts in your home.  A thermostat is attached to the unit so that the unit is notified when it needs to kick on.  When temperatures in the home reach below the setting on the thermostat, the system will fire on and fuels will burn to heat the air inside of the furnace.  As the air is heated, it'll pass through a heat exchanger and also to your air ducts.

How Exactly Does a Boiler Work?

Boilers work in quite a different way.  The name boiler is used because the HVAC unit will heat water and make use of the steam as a heating element.  The steam is distributed through steam radiators as well as the hot water is distributed via radiant flooring systems or baseboard systems.  You will need to determine which type of boiler you want to purchase.  Hot water boilers run at lower temperatures than a steam boiler system and they are much more energy efficient for this reason.

Understanding Energy Efficiency 

You should understand energy efficiency ratings of boilers and furnaces before you decide to call central heating installers.  When you heat your home, you do not want to pay an arm and a leg to power the HVAC system.  Furnace and boiler efficiency is measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE).  All models available must display their AFUE rating so consumers can make an educated decision.

When you're taking a look at a rating, the percentage of the rating is just how much fuel is converted into heat to heat your home.  An 80 percent rating means that 80 percent of the fuel is used to heat your house and the other 20 percent will escape.  An all-electric boiler features a rating of 95 to 100 percent.  Fossil fuel powered models will range between 70 and 80 percent.  The minimum rating for a gas-powered boiler is 80 percent with the furnace coming in at a 78.

*  Electric boilers are classified as the most energy efficient
*  Gas-powered boilers are more efficient than gas-powered furnaces
*  High-efficiency systems are rated between 90 and 97 percent
*  Mid-efficiency AFUE range between 80 and 83 percent

If you're looking for efficiency, the boiler is a better option.  When you are looking for a boiler, contact boiler installers so you can choose the best option.  Professional boiler installation is essential because of the difficulty of the job.  Research models and select a respected company in your area so you can heat your house without having to spend an arm and a leg.