Improve Your Chatham Home’s Efficiency With Boiler Replacement or Installation
Boilers can use a wide variety of fuel. Some are electric, which don’t require any gas lines. This is helpful if you don’t have this infrastructure installed for your home. That said, electric boilers cost more to run and are better suited for milder climates and smaller homes. For most customers, we at Pipe Works Services recommend natural gas or propane boilers to keep your home warm through New Jersey winters. These provide clean, efficient performance for heating larger spaces. Their high efficiency also saves you money on lower heating bills.
There are also steam boilers. Rather than moving hot water, these use fuel to turn it into steam. This hot vapor then travels through pipes to a radiant heating system or other appliance. Steam boilers are more common in public and commercial buildings, and are even used to power equipment in facilities such as hospitals and manufacturing plants.
Regardless of the fuel, there are lots of different boiler types out there. Combi-boilers supply hot water for both home heating and appliances, so no separate water heater is necessary. When the boiler is running to provide water for whole-house heating, water is heated for appliances like showers, clothes washers, and dishwashers at the same time.
Boilers supply hot water for different hydronic heating systems. This refers to any HVAC system that uses water or fluid. There are several different types of hydronic heating systems that utilize boilers. Hot water can be pumped to the baseboard and other types of radiators located throughout the living space. It can also be circulated through plastic tubing that has been beneath floors. In this system, the flooring becomes a giant radiator to provide home heat. Another is called hydro-air, and it circulates hot water from the boiler to a heating coil in a duct system. A fan then circulates the heat to the rooms in your house.
Regardless of what type you have, it might be time to replace yours if you notice the following signs:
- Age: If your boiler is over 15 years old, it may be nearing the end of its useful life.
- Frequent Repairs: Increasingly frequent breakdowns and repairs can indicate that it’s more cost-effective to replace rather than continuously fix the boiler.
- Rising Energy Bills: Older, less efficient boilers can lead to higher energy costs.
- Performance Issues: If you’re experiencing uneven heating, noises, or leaks, these can be signs that the boiler is failing.
- Visible Wear and Tear: Any signs of rusting, water leaks, or physical damage can mean the boiler is deteriorating.