HEATING

HOT TO CHOOSE: BOILER VS FURNACE

04/20/2023

HEATING

HOW TO CHOOSE: BOILER VS FURNACE

04/20/2023

With many options to choose from for your heating system, it can be difficult to decide which to go with. We’re here today to break down the difference: Boiler vs Furnace – How do they work? Which is better for your needs? Keep reading to explore your options.

Boiler vs Furnace: What’s the Difference?

You’ll find both options are common heating systems for residential and commercial buildings. They produce and distribute heat differently. Simply put, boilers use hot water to heat your home, while furnaces use hot air. So how do you choose which to install in your home?

What is a Boiler?

Firstly, let’s get into what a boiler is and how it works. As you have read already, boilers heat your home with hot water. The hot water is heated with either natural gas, oil, or electricity. As the hot air or steam moves through the pipes throughout your home, the heat circulates via cast iron, ceramic radiators, baseboards, or radiant floor heating. All hot gases are then pushed outdoors in order to maintain the appropriate pressure in the boiler system. Finally, the cold air returns back into the boiler for it to be heated again.

Pro Tip: Identify where your pilot light is located.

Your pilot light should be a transparent blue tone.

If it’s a warmer hue like orange or yellow, you should contact your HVAC technician to examine the problem. It’s commonly a sign of low levels of fuel or evidence of carbon monoxide.

And if it’s a red hue, you may have dust or tar accumulated in your system.

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What is a Furnace?

Next, let’s uncover how the furnace works. You may have heard of furnaces producing ‘forced air heat’. What this means: The furnace heats the air and distributes heat throughout your home by passing through the ducts. The register near the floor draws in cool air to be re-heated again.

Gas furnaces: A pilot light or electric ignition lights the natural gas or propane in the burner.

Electric furnaces: Air passes through the heat exchanger and is then heated by the burner or heating element. The blower motor moves heated air moves through the ductwork.

To get a more comprehensive knowledge of furnaces, you may find this article by Family Handman informative.

How to Choose Between a Boiler vs Furnace

For those with respiratory issues, allergies, or skin concerns, it’s important to note these bullet points to find the right system for you. Some key points to consider before making your final decision:

Heat Consistency: Boilers provide more consistent heat whereas furnaces may cause cold drafts whenever they turn on.
Humidity: Since furnaces produce forced air heat, it tends to be drier in the home. You may find your hair, skin, and plants to be too drying. Humidifiers may be beneficial if your home has a furnace. Boilers create moist air which means you may find your home to be more humid. In this case, you may find a dehumidifier useful.
Indoor Air Quality: Boilers provide better indoor air quality since dust and other particles won’t be blowing throughout your home. An air purifier may be a great purchase if you suffer from respiratory issues.
Noise: If you are sensitive to noise, boilers are nearly silent and you’ll find yourself less irritated. Furnaces can be on the noisier side when the system starts heating up. Since the mechanical room is often far from living quarters, you may not be affected by the noise at all.
General Maintenance: Furnaces require air filter replacements every 1 to 3 months. Boilers, on the other hand, do not have filters to replace but that also means you’ll want to schedule annual maintenance with a professional HVAC technician.
Energy Efficiency: There are several factors to consider with this point. It depends on what fuels your system, lifespan, condition, how often you serviced your system, and what type of system you have installed.
Heat Distribution: Generally, boilers are more energy-efficient for heating larger spaces because of the consistent heat distribution. It’s important to get advice from your HVAC technician to get the appropriate type and size of heating system in order to prevent it from overworking, thereby reducing the lifespan of your equipment.

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Conclusion

In summary, choosing between a boiler and a furnace is up to preference. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It all comes down to your personal preference and your budget. If you’re looking to cut down on utility expenses over the long term, opt for a high-efficiency system that will be a great investment for years to come!

We hope you found this blog post informative!

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Thank you for reading.