Can Boilers Be Used for HVAC?

It’s cold again in Santa Clarita. The coldest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which sometimes results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are a variety of products on the market that will keep your home warm. 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 takes either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to each room in a home.

Steam Models

You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is transported to radiators around your home. Creating more steam amplifies 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 goes to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are primarily powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers operate similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is pumped through the radiant system when it has met your chosen temperature. Water boilers are able to be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not traditionally found outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Heating Your Home with a Boiler

Boilers are known for their virtually soundless operation. In fact, you probably won’t hear a boiler running at all unless there’s something wrong 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 bonus 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 tough decision. Although they are often 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 Santa Clarita, give Verona HVAC a call at 818-306-3387.