Most homes in the United States are heated with either a boiler or a furnace. While furnaces heat air that is distributed through a home via air ducts, boilers heat water. A boiler may use either heated water or steam for heating a home. Steam boilers distribute heat to steam radiators through a series of pipes, while hot water boilers can use baseboard radiators, coils, or radiant floors to distribute heat.
Steam boiler heating systems require higher temperatures to operate, making them less efficient than hot water boiler systems. There are, however, energy-efficient models of both types of boiler heating systems available for consumers wanting to save money and help the environment.
The efficiency of boiler heating systems is measured by Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), or the amount of heat output compared to the boiler's total energy consumed. For example, an electric boiler may have an AFUE rating of 93%, which means that 93% of the heat created by the boiler is used, and only 7% of the heat is lost. Minimum AFUE ratings vary depending on the type of boiler heating system (e.g. oil, electric, gas, or wood boilers), but generally range from 75 to 80%. A boiler with an AFUE rating below 75 or 80% is not an efficient system and should be inspected and/or retrofitted by a boiler heating contractor. The higher your boiler's AFUE rating, the more efficient it will be and the more money you'll save on heating bills.
AFUE ratings, however, do not take into consideration the heat that is lost during distribution, i.e. in the home's air ducts. Leaking or clogged air ducts can lose up to 40% of a home's heated air before it even reaches the air vents. Speak with a certified boiler heating contractor to determine the efficiency of your boiler as well as the efficiency of your home's ductwork.
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Older homes often experience pricey heating bills simply due to inefficient home heating systems. Fortunately, older, less efficient boilers can be retrofitted, or upgraded, to improve the system's energy efficiency and overall safety; in many cases they do not need to be completely replaced. Typical retrofitting possibilities include adding vent dampers, installing a time-delay relay for hot water boilers, installing an electronic ignition device for gas boilers (i.e. replacing the continuously-burning pilot light), upgrading air ducts, installing a programmable thermostat, or installing zone control for hot water boilers.
If your boiler heating system has an AFUE rating below 70%, retrofitting costs may quickly add up. In such cases, it may be more cost-effective to speak with a boiler heating contractor about replacing your old boiler system. New boiler heating systems have an AFUE rating as high as 97%. Research shows that switching from an outdated boiler to a new energy-efficient model will reduce your home's carbon emissions by more than 1.5 tons every year and also save hundreds of dollars in home heating bills. When discussing replacement options with a boiler heating contractor, be sure to mention size. A boiler that is too large for the home's needs will simply waste energy and cost the homeowner unnecessary cash.
The Home Heating Dr. specializes in finding local contractors who are prescreened and offer free no obligation estimates. Let us help you find the expert for your boiler heating system installation. We currently service Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Washington and Virginia.
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