What is a boiler?

January 20, 2015

The harshest months of winter Des Moines usually find us with more service and repair calls, some of which result in homeowners discovering they need new heating systems. You can find an array of home heating products on the market, from furnaces to boilers. Many people don’t know a lot about boilers. If you’re one of them, we can tell you what you need to know.

Types of boilers

Boilers are made in both steam and hot water models. Both supply heat throughout a home by means of either a radiant system that uses a boiler to heat water, or through forced air heating systems.

Steam boilers

Steam boilers are kind of like big teapots. They boil water until the steam builds up to create enough pressure to push heat to radiators across your home. The heat is emitted into your rooms by air moving across the radiators. The cycle continues after the steam then cools and condenses to water, which then returns to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are generally powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot water boilers

Like steam boilers, hot water boilers move warmth throughout your home, but with hot water rather than steam. When the water heats up to your desired temperature, it is pushed through the radiant system. Gas is frequently used to power water boilers, however, you will discover oil-fired boilers in New England and the Northeast United States.

Benefits of boilers for home heating

Quite a few people appreciate boilers because of their exceptionally quiet operation. In fact, it’s hard to hear a boiler running at all unless it needs repair. They are also known for supplying comfortable and even heat due to the design of the system with pipes installed within the walls or under the floors. Boilers can also provide relief, in non-forced air heating systems, to allergy suffers because they don’t blow air around and spread allergens.

Even though they can be more expensive than furnaces, many people find that boilers are a great heating system for them. If you want more information about high-efficiency boilers in Des Moines, look to Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling. Give us a call at 515-207-6569 or schedule an appointment with us online.