The harshest months of winter Portland typically find us with more service and repair calls, some of which result in homeowners needing new heating systems. You can find a large number of home heating products on the market, from furnaces to boilers. Many people don’t know a lot about boilers. If you’re one of them, we have some information for you.
Types of boilers
Boilers are made in both steam and hot water models. Both supply heat throughout a home by means of either a radiant system that uses a boiler to heat water, or through forced air heating systems.
Steam boilers
Steam boilers are kind of like big teapots. They boil water until the steam builds up to create enough pressure to push heat to radiators around your home. The heat is distributed into your rooms by air moving across the radiators. The cycle continues when the steam then cools and condenses to water, which then goes back to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are generally powered with natural gas or propane.
Hot water boilers
Like steam boilers, hot water boilers circulate warmth around your home, but with hot water instead of steam. When the water rasies to your desired temperature, it is forced through the radiant system. Gas is frequently used to power water boilers, however, you will find oil-fired boilers in New England and the Northeast United States.
Benefits of boilers for home heating
Quite a few people appreciate boilers because of their very quiet operation. In fact, it’s almost impossible to hear a boiler operating at all unless it needs repair. They are also known for providing comfortable and even heat because of the design of the system with pipes installed inside the walls or under the floors. Boilers can also be useful, in non-forced air heating systems, to allergy suffers because they don’t blow air around and spread allergens.
Even though they can be pricier than furnaces, a lot of people find that boilers are the right heating system for them. If you want more information about high-efficiency boilers in Portland, look to Three Rivers Heating & Cooling. You can reach us at 503-213-4433 or schedule an appointment with us online.