Types of Boilers

Types of Boilers

Boilers are one of the most common home heating systems especially in older houses in the Northeast and other cold-climate areas. Boilers are the appliances that heat water, and then distribute hot steam or hot water along a series of pipes throughout the home. Steam is sent to radiators, and hot water flows to radiators or radiant heating systems. Boilers are powered by natural gas, heating oil, propane, electricity or a biodiesel-oil blend. New systems are very energy efficient.

Types of Boilers

Boilers are also known as central heating systems because the equipment is in a central location, and the heat is spread throughout the home. But unlike other heating methods, there’s usually a gap in time between the boiler starting and the heat being distributed.

Most boilers produce steam or hot water using natural gas or heating oil, and all are either condensing or non-condensing. Boilers are required by the federal government to be at least 80 percent efficient. Some boiler can have efficiencies as high as 98.5 percent. All boiler types usually last 15 to 30 years.

Gas-Fired Boilers

Gas-fired boilers are fueled by either natural gas or propane, and are highly efficient. Natural gas is not available everywhere though, and some homeowners at the end of a gas pipeline pay higher fuel prices. Propane is generally more expensive than natural gas, but it’s more available than natural gas.

Oil-Fired Boilers

Oil-fired boilers are common in areas that have limited access to natural gas. If you have an oil-fired boiler, you’ll need to have heating oil delivered and stored in tanks, and your operating costs will depend on the rise and fall of oil prices.

Some boiler companies now offer models that burn biodiesel fuel, which produces less pollution than regular heating oil. Depending on oil prices, biodiesel heating oil can be less expensive with standard oil. However, because it burns cleaner and lubricates the system, biodiesel fuel can also reduce your boiler service and cleaning costs.

Electric Boilers

Electric boilers are highly energy efficient. But they’re usually not economical because electricity costs are higher than other fuel types in many parts of the country. You may also consider a heat pump if you choose and electric heater.

Boiler Safety

Boiler Safety

The safe and efficient operation of boilers and domestic water heaters is necessary for the operation of most residential and commercial facilities. Improvements in designs and control systems have made modern units safer and more efficient than before.

But there are other factors to consider to ensure safety and efficiency. In addition to a well designed system, scheduled inspections and testing done by a technician or service professional could keep your boiler running safely and efficiently.

Safety Devices

All boilers and domestic water heaters have a variety of built-in devices to help ensure their safe operation. Like other components of major appliances, they require scheduled maintenance to make sure they’re operating properly. Boiler technicians and professionals pay close attention to three key safety devices to protect the safe operation of your home’s boiler:

Safety valves. The safety valve is the most important safety device in a boiler or domestic hot-water system. It is designed to relieve internal pressure if a range of failures occur within the system. Although it is simple in design and straightforward in operation, something as minor as corroded or restricted flow inside of the valve and its related piping can affect the overall operation.

Water-level control and low-water fuel cutoff. Many systems combine these two separate boiler-safety functions into one unit. They’re designed to make sure the water level inside of the boiler never falls below a certain amount. If that ever happens, the system is designed to shut down the boiler by cutting off its fuel. Proper functioning requires operators to make sure there is no build-up of sludge or debris within the system that would interfere with its detection and operation.

Water-gauge glass. Even with a functioning water-level-control system, it’s important for your service professional to verify the actual level of water in the system. Here, too, a build-up of sludge and debris can give false level indications.

10 Energy Saving Tips for your Air Conditioning

10 Energy Saving Tips for your Air Conditioning 

When temperatures continue to climb, air conditioning isn’t only necessary.. it’s a must. And it’s just as important to save on energy while running your ac. Here are some energy saving tips to keep in mind this summer:

1. Keep your air conditioner lower at night. Overnight you don't need the same level of consistent cool air. Turning your AC down during the hours you’re asleep, if your unit has one, use the "sleep mode" which lowers the temperature on a timer.

2. If you only need to cool a portion of your home, use a window or portable unit in the space you need it. While cooling your entire home ideal, it may not be necessary all the time. Window and portable units use up 50% less energy than a central air unit.

3. Close Off Vents. The basement is normally the coolest room in the home, so try closing all the vents in the lower part of your home. The cool air will trickle down there naturally and by closing those vents, you're forcing all the air up top first, cooling as it comes down.

4. Service Your Unit. Some basic maintenance might be all your air conditioner needs, but will greatly benefit from. Hosing down your ac filter, especially if you're plagued with nearby trees and brush, can keep your ac unit from working harder.

5. Check your ac ducts. Making sure the areas where your ac ducts run through parts of your home that receive no air conditioning, like the attic, are well insulated. This will keep the air coming in as cool as possible. Otherwise it would be like paying for half cool air.

6. Try rearranging your furniture. Furniture that is in the way of air conditioning vents means you could be cooling the back of a chair or the bottom side of your couch. There are plastic pieces you can buy for your vents to help force air in the right direction, but the easiest way is to just rearrange your furniture, even if only temporarily.

7. 78 degrees is a good point for an air conditioner to run at its top performance level. It’s a lot like a car on cruise control coasting on a long, flat stretch of road.

8. Turning the lights off can help reduce the heat in your home, but paying attention to how much light you let in from an open windows can also play a significant role. Although it might seem crazy to open and close your windows every day with the changing of the sun, it makes a big difference on how much heat your ac has to cool down.

9. While you're away from home turn your AC up to 85 and make sure the windows and drapes are closed. Even though it’ll be hot for a few minutes when you come home, the blinds will help keep the sun out and the heat won't be as heavy. This will keep your unit from having to work overtime to cool the room back down.

10. Don't forget to turn on the fan. We rely on air conditioners to keep things cool, but having a few fans on will help. Using them to circulate the cool air means you don't need quite as much help from your air conditioner.