10 Things You Should Know About Heater Boiler Systems

March 16,

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Standard Heating & Air Conditioning

Are you thinking about buying a beautiful old home but worried about the possibly antiquated boiler heater system? Standard Heating is here to help. In this post, we answer common boiler questions such as: How do they work? What is necessary to keep them running optimally? Are they dangerous? When is it time to think about replacing a boiler? Along the way, we&#;ll debunk common boiler myths.

1. Do heater boilers actually &#;boil&#; water?

No, boilers in operation today do not boil water (myth number one bites the dust!). The term &#;boiler&#; is a carryover from the past when steam boilers were common, which boiled water to make steam. Today&#;s boilers are water heaters and typically use natural gas. Most can heat water in a range from 145-190 degrees, depending on the radiation system.

2. How does boiler heat work?

Boilers provide radiant heat, which warms objects in a room. In contrast, a forced-air furnace warms the air in a room, which means objects absorb heat more slowly.

Boiler heat operates by heating water, which then circulates through a system of pipes or radiators to provide warmth. The boiler, fueled by gas, oil, or electricity, heats the water to a set temperature. As the hot water flows through the pipes or radiators, it releases heat into the surrounding space. This radiant heat warms the room or building, creating a comfortable indoor environment. Boilers are known for their efficiency and even heating distribution, making them a popular choice for residential and commercial heating systems. Additionally, some boilers can also be used for providing hot water for domestic use, enhancing their versatility.

Some people prefer boilers because they can set their thermostat at a lower temperature and the radiant heat makes the room feel warmer than the actual air temperature. Others say boilers provide more balanced heat throughout the home during the winter months.

3. What are the most important things to know about your boiler heating system?

Here&#;s the shortlist:

• Is your boiler a standard efficiency or high-efficiency model? Standard efficiency is vented in metal pipe. A high-efficiency model should be vented in PVC pipe, either off the top or to the side of the boiler.
• What kind of radiation do you have? Fintube or baseboard, or cast iron radiators?
• Who will assume responsibility for maintaining the boiler? Are you willing and able to learn to do it yourself, or are you going to have a company do the maintenance for you? The U.S. Boiler Company recommends annual maintenance to confirm that the boiler is working safely and efficiently. Annual maintenance also can identify potential problems and prevent a no-heat situation with your boiler.

4. What are the common reasons that boilers break or stop working?

Pumps fail and electrical components can stop working (controls, thermostat, etc). Also, unnecessary air may get into the system or low water pressure may occur, both of which can result in the system not moving the water so the boiler cannot radiate heat correctly or at all. In rare cases, water can freeze in extremely cold conditions. Minnesota snowbirds should take precautions, such as having a house sitter (or an emergency contact) and always having maintenance performed before leaving for warmer climates. Finally, if using a setback thermostat, make sure to leave the setting at 55 degrees or above.

5. Do water heater boilers prevent humidity problems common with forced-air furnaces that lack a built-in humidifier?

Yes or no, depending on the efficiency of your boiler. Technically, boiler systems do not remove or add humidity, with the exception of cast iron boilers. A low-efficiency boiler, however, will utilize indoor air to make the necessary combustion flame, which can dry out your home. In contrast, a high-efficiency boiler pulls air from outdoors to achieve combustion and does not affect indoor air.

Now, one more tip about cast iron boilers, which are designed to use indoor air for combustion. You can improve air quality while using this type of boiler by making sure there is adequate air for the cast iron boiler. Installing a combustion air inlet (CAI), a small flexible pipe that is open to the outside, brings fresh air into your home.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Industrial Steam Boiler.

6. What is the risk of burns associated with using hot water for heating, such as with young children around hot radiators?

The risk is relatively low (due to more common baseboard heaters), assuming you keep the water temperature at the correct setting. This is especially important if your home uses older cast iron radiators, which can become hot to the touch if the water temperature is set too high.

7. Do boilers waste water or energy?

No, they do not waste water because boilers are sealed systems. Modern boiler systems are just as efficient as any gas forced-air furnace.

8. How do you know if your boiler is operating efficiently?

Standard Heating can help by performing a boiler tune-up to assess your system. Boilers require annual maintenance to ensure efficient operation.

9. Is it possible to retrofit an old boiler to make it more energy efficient?

No. Standard Heating will not alter the original design of a boiler, because they are UL listed/labeled and should not be altered. However, in most cases, Standard Heating can replace a boiler with a more efficient unit. If your equipment is 20-30 years old, be prepared to think about replacing the boiler.

10. What&#;s involved in replacing a boiler?

Boilers can be simple or complicated systems to install, and require a thorough understanding of a home&#;s water distribution system. An experienced technician should conduct a complete analysis of your home and distribution system, which will provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for your home. Standard Heating encourages customers to think about such questions as &#;How long do you plan to live in the home?&#; and &#;Can you afford expensive repairs?&#; Our boiler consultants will work with you to find the best balance of economy and features that fit your needs.

Do you need to schedule a boiler tune-up? Or, are you ready for a free in-home estimate?

Boilers operate by heating water within a vessel using gas, oil, or coal. This heated water, either turned into steam or kept in liquid form depending on the type of boiler you have, is then sent through a system of radiators placed throughout a home in order to provide indoor heating.

The basic process boilers use to heat your home:

• STEP 1: Water is heated and then circulated through the piping and radiator circuits. Different boilers are designed to work with specific fuel types to perform this process, the most common of which being gas and oil.
• STEP 2: The boiler releases the hot water or steam, depending on which type of system it is, throughout water pipes connecting to radiators located throughout your home.
• STEP 3: The hot water or steam passes through the radiator tubes&#; thick metal walls to distribute the heat to the room the radiator is located.
• STEP 4: Once cooled, the water or steam that has been converted back into water since cooling, is directed through the boiler water pipe system to the original heating vessel. start this process over again to continuously provide heating for a building.
• STEP 5: The system starts the process over again to continuously provide heating for a home or office.

Types Of Boiler Systems & How They Work

How Does a Steam Boiler Work?

Steam boilers function by creating a combustion reaction by electrical ignition between air and fuel. This causes tubes within the boiler that are immersed in water to heat up. The heat raises the water temperature to about 212°F, the highest temperature at which water can still exist in liquid form at this pressure. This causes the water which the tubes are submerged in to turn into steam. The steam travels from the boiler through piping to the radiators throughout the building to provide indoor heating. After the steam in the pipes and radiators has cooled, it becomes liquid water and flows through the pipes back to the boiler water heating chamber and repeats the cycle.

How Does a Hot Water Boiler Work?

A hot water boiler uses oil or gas fuel, depending on the system type, to produce heat energy. This energy heats the boiler water to a high enough temperature to power your radiators to heat your home.

How Does a Gas Boiler Work?

Gas boilers work by releasing the fuel through a gas valve into a sealed combustion chamber in the boiler through small jets. With an electrical ignition, the gas is combusted to create heat. This heat is absorbed by a connected pipe carrying cold water. The water is heated to about 180°F and transferred to the radiators through your home to maintain the heated indoor climate you desire.

How Does an Oil Boiler Work?

Oil fueled boilers work similarly to gas fuelled boilers. They keep a home warm by heating water and transferring it through a system of pipes and radiators that distribute the heat through your home. The significant difference between them is that these systems combust oil instead of gas to provide heating.

The process an oil burner follows starts when the cooled water returns from heating the radiators in your home. This cooled water in the boiler reduces the boiler water temperature until it triggers a temperature sensor which initiates an electric charge that turns the oil burner on. Once triggered, the system uses high pressure to spray small droplets of oil into the fire chamber. These tiny drops of oil vaporize with ease and are highly combustible. A spark is ignited from a high voltage ignition system, causing the sprayed oil droplets to combust and which allows the oil boiler to sufficiently prepare the water that will be used to heat your home.