It’s that time of year again in Laurel. The coldest months of winter seem to bring about more service and repair calls, which sometimes results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are various products on the market that will keep your home warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s get a closer look.

There Are Different Kinds of Boilers

A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it uses either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to each room in a home.

Steam Models

Think of boilers as a teapot. These systems boil water to create steam, which is directed to radiators around your home. Creating more steam amplifies the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to let off the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and goes to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are primarily powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers run similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you turn up the heat, water begins to warm up and is transported through the radiant system when it has achieved your chosen temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not traditionally utilized outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Heating Your Home with a Boiler

Boilers are known for their almost soundless operation. In fact, you probably won’t hear a boiler running at all unless there’s a problem with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can offer a more comfortable and even heat. Another perk is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping reduce the allergens in the air.

Picking the right heating system for your home can be a tough decision. Although they can be more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to find out more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Laurel, give H&C Heating and Cooling a call at 301-960-3247.