Is A Boiler the Best Heating System?
Blue Valley Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing is dedicated to providing energy efficiency while promoting the growth of geothermal renewable energy.
As the weather turns colder and the days grow shorter, many homeowners are thinking about the best way to keep their homes warm this winter. Furnaces are the most common home heating system but advances in boiler designs have made them contenders as well. The experts at Blue Valley Heating & Cooling in Longmont can help you decide on the best method for heating your home, be it a boiler, furnace or geothermal system.
Technological advances have made boilers, sometimes called condensing furnaces, the highest performing heating system available. Standard furnaces lose a significant amount of heat during combustion. In contrast, boilers capture this excess heat with a second heat exchanger to optimize efficiency. According to Anita Alvarez on Angie’s List, “The secondary exchanger allows exhaust gases to cool, and transfers latent heat that it gives off during vaporization of the gases.”
Benefits of a Boiler Over Furnaces
Better Efficiency
Condensing boilers receive the highest AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, ratings. The maximum level that noncondensing units can reach is 90% AFUE. Boilers get up to 98.5%- which translates into just a little more than 1% loss of energy!
Increased Safety
The design of condensing boilers significantly reduces the risk of exhaust gases escaping into living spaces. These boilers use a sealed combustion system, which keeps hazardous gases within the unit and vents them safely outside. Drawing in air exclusively from outside the home for combustion, condensing boilers enhance safety and efficiency, and prevent exhaust gases from returning to the living area
Easier Installation
Since the combustion gases are cooled inside boilers, the exhaust system can be composed of standard PVC pipes. This is a much simpler venting system than traditional furnaces require with their extreme heat operations.
Although condensing boilers cost more upfront than a standard furnace, Energy.gov projects that they will ultimately save homeowners money in fuel costs over the lifespan of the unit.
If you are ready to replace your home’s heating system, contact the staff at Blue Valley Heating & Cooling in Longmont for expert advice and professional installation of your new boiler, furnace or geothermal system.
