Can Boilers Be Used for HVAC?

It’s winter again in Corpus Christi. The iciest 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 a variety of products on the market that will heat your home. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer look.

Different Designs of Boilers

A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it uses 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 around your home. Producing more steam increases the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to release the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and heads back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are usually powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers operate similarly but circulate hot water throughout your home instead of steam. When you boost the heat, water begins to warm up and is transported through the radiant system when it has reached your chosen temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly used outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Using a Boiler

Boilers are known for their almost soundless operation. In fact, you most likely won’t hear a boiler working at all unless there’s an issue 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 perk 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 may 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 Corpus Christi, give Total Assurance AC & Heating a call at 361-217-7080.