Find the Boiler That is Best for Your Home
Do you need a new residential boiler? A boiler is a piece of heating equipment that uses hot water to heat your home. Some boilers can even provide hot water for washing, cooking, and cleaning. Let’s look at the types of boilers available and how to choose the best option for your home.
Understanding Your Heating Needs
To find the best hot water boiler for your home, you need to consider the size of your house, the number of people living under your roof, your home’s insulation, and the amount of hot water you use daily.
- Home Size: Larger homes need more capacity boilers to heat the house effectively.
- Number of Occupants: You’ll likely need a larger boiler if your home has many people. This is because more people usually result in larger homes with more bathrooms and hot water use.
- Home Insulation: Homes that aren’t well insulated will lose more heat throughout the day and night, so you’ll need a larger boiler system to compensate.
- Hot Water Demand: If you have many occupants or use a lot of hot water, you’ll likely need a larger boiler system.
Types of Boilers
There are three types of boiler systems available for residential use:
- Combi Boilers: Provides heating and hot water for small homes with tight spaces. They only contain one hot water tank. Homeowners often choose them for their space-saving design and energy efficiency.
- System Boilers: Great for larger homes. These boilers provide heat and hot water through the boiler and a hot water tank. Homeowners with many household members and multiple bathrooms may benefit from this type of boiler.
- Regular Boilers: Regular or traditional boilers provide ample heat, helping to keep your home warm on cold winter nights. They’re great for large homes and homes seeking to replace older boiler systems.
Consider Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact
When choosing a boiler, it is important to look at its efficiency rating. Boiler efficiency ratings are measured in AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) and shown as a percentage. Modern boilers must be at least 80 percent efficient, meaning that they use 80 percent of their fuel to create heat, while 20 percent is lost. High-efficiency boilers are 90 to 98.5 percent efficient.
Benefits of Choosing a High-Efficiency Boiler
If you’re looking to keep your costs low and minimize the environmental impact of the boiler, you may want to consider purchasing a boiler that is 90 to 98.5 percent energy efficient. This can save you money on winter heating bills while reducing your carbon footprint.
Boiler Sizing and Installation
To get the maximum efficiency and comfort out of your new boiler, it’s essential to make sure you purchase the correct size. Choosing a boiler that is too small could result in colder than desired temperatures when the boiler can’t keep up with demand. Conversely, choosing a boiler that is too large could result in unnecessarily high energy bills and excessive wear and tear due to short cycling, which is when the boiler turns off and on too frequently.
You should consult with an expert to ensure you get the best boiler for your home. Professional HVAC technicians can evaluate your home and recommend the best boiler for your needs.
Maintenance and Longevity
Homeowners can generally expect their new boiler to last between 15 and 20+ years. However, to get the maximum life out of the boiler, it should be properly sized for the home and installed correctly. Homeowners should also schedule regular inspections, cleanings, and maintenance to maximize the unit’s expected lifespan.
Conclusion
If you’ve noticed high repair bills, high energy bills, and a lack of heat in your home, it may be time to replace your boiler. At Ardmore Fresh Air, we can help you find the right replacement boiler for your home so you can keep your winter heating bills low and your house comfortably warm. To learn more about our boiler installation services, give us a call at 847-588-2400 or contact us today!
