There are many ways to keep cozy during the winter months, from space heaters to fuzzy blankets. However, when temperatures fall, you need a home heating system to help you feel—and stay—comfortable all season long.
When searching for the best heating system for your home, you probably have a lot of questions—and many concerns. You’ll want to consider installation costs, energy savings, and more to find the system that will meet all of your needs.
Today, two of the most common types of heating systems are furnaces and boilers. There are many differences between a boiler vs. furnace, and knowing these differences can help you choose between the two.
Function
There are similarities between boilers and furnaces: both keep you warm, have similar life expectancies, and neither have outdoor units. Nonetheless, there are many differences between the two heating systems, including function.
Boilers
Boilers work by using steam or hot water to heat a home. Once this hot water or steam is created, it’s sent via pipes to various baseboard radiators or a radiant floor system. Most boilers run on either oil, electricity, or natural gas.
Furnaces
On the other hand, furnaces heat a home with warm air. They burn fuel to create warm air, which is sent out into your rooms via ductwork.
Your furnace and AC can share this ductwork if you have a central HVAC system. There’s also a wide range of furnace fuel types to choose from, including natural gas, oil, and electricity.
Now that you know how these heating systems work, let’s discuss the differences between a boiler vs. furnace in more detail.
Installation
When selecting the best heating system for your home, you’ll want to consider how complex the installation process is—and how much it’ll cost you.
Overall, boiler systems are more difficult for professional HVAC technicians to install than their furnace counterparts. As a result, boilers take more time to install and end up costing more than furnaces.
All in all, a furnace could be the best heating system for your home if you’re looking for lower upfront costs. While the installation process deserves your attention, there are many more factors you should think about in the great boiler vs. furnace debate.
Maintenance
As a homeowner, you should never overlook the importance of HVAC maintenance. For instance, yearly maintenance is essential for the proper function of your furnace.
During a maintenance service, a professional HVAC technician will inspect parts, clean components, and perform tests. Plus, you need to change the air filter at least once every three months. This robust maintenance checklist ensures that your furnace can function effectively and safely when heating your home.
Conversely, boilers require minimal maintenance after installation. One notable difference between boilers vs. furnaces is that boilers don’t have air filters that need to be changed. However, you should still schedule regular maintenance for a boiler.
Energy Efficiency
The higher your heating system’s energy efficiency, the more energy you save. Of course, the less energy you use, the less you’ll pay for your energy bills.
When it comes to the energy efficiency of a boiler vs. furnace, boilers usually come out on top. A boiler tends to use up less fuel than a furnace; this is because hot air can leak out of the ductwork with a furnace. If you encounter problems with your ductwork, you should schedule a professional gas furnace repair in CT.
Fortunately, though, there are ways to improve your furnace’s energy efficiency. For example, investing in a programmable thermostat will allow you to create a schedule for your heating needs.
Upgrade Your Heating System Today
Finding the right solution can be a challenge, whether your focus is on high efficiency, air quality, or low installation costs. Air Specialties offers heating and cooling services to fit your household’s needs. Whether you’re searching for “cheap furnace repair near me” or need a heating system installation, our professionals can help.
Contact us to learn more about our furnace installations today!
