Can Boilers Be Used for HVAC?

It’s that time of year again in West Valley City. The iciest months of winter can bring about more service and repair calls, which usually 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 take a 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 all of the rooms in a home.

Steam Models

You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is transported to radiators all over your home. Creating more steam increases the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to relieve 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 typically powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers work similarly but circulate hot water around your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is sent through the radiant system when it has met your desired temperature. Water boilers may 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 nearly soundless operation. In fact, you more than likely won’t hear a boiler operating 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 give you a more comfortable and even heat. Another perk is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping reduce the allergens in the air.

Selecting 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 learn more about the high-efficiency boilers available in West Valley City, give Select Comfort Systems a call at 801-305-4777.