Now might seem an odd time to think about installing a new heating system in your home. We’re coming down to the end of the season, after all, and most people are more concerned with getting their air conditioners ready for summer than replacing their heating systems. If you’re thinking about going with a new heating system for next winter, though, you should at least consider installing it now rather than waiting. You don’t want to be in a rush to pick out a new system and get it installed right before the weather gets cold, after all.
There are many different kinds of heating systems on the market, each of which is suited to a different set of individual needs. Furnaces and heat pumps abound, of course, but they’re not the only options. If you’re looking for something a bit different, consider installing a boiler system!
What Sets Boilers Apart
Boilers are not forced air systems, as you probably already know. Their method of heating involves pumping hot water through a pipe network installed in the subfloor of each room in the home. As the water flows through the pipes, heat radiates up through the floor and into the room. This method of heating is called, appropriately, radiant heating.
Boiler systems are also different from other systems in terms of installation. As most homes are not already equipped with the pipes necessary to use a boiler, installing one is often a bit more of an investment than it would be for a furnace or a heat pump. Considering the advantages that boiler systems can offer, though, many homeowners view them as well worth the cost.
Advantages of Using a Boiler
Before we get to the advantages of using a boiler system, let’s go over some of the disadvantages of using a forced air heater. First, forced air is actually not a very energy efficient way to heat a home. It relies on ducts, which often leak and rob the system of up to a third of its energy output. Air warms up quickly, but it also loses heat quickly. This means that forced air systems need to frequently turn on to maintain the desired temperature in a home. Finally, warm air doesn’t always go where you want it to go. When blown into a room, warm air will always rise to the ceiling and sink as it cools off. This can cause uncomfortable hot and cold spots throughout the house. With boiler systems, though, you don’t have to worry about any of these.
Water can hold more thermal energy for longer than air can, meaning the boiler has to work much less hard to keep the home properly heated. There are no ducts, and therefore no duct leaks. Radiant heating also keeps all of the heat it generates near the floor of the room, where you can enjoy it without worrying about uneven spots. These are just a few of the benefits to using a boiler system.
PRK Services, Inc. installs and services boilers in Trophy Club, TX. If you need a new boiler installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment.