Boiler Specialists

A boiler system heats the water inside a tank that supplies either hot water or steam, which flows through pipes and radiators to produce warmth. Most homes use hot water heating systems however some older homes and larger homes may use steam heating systems. If properly maintained, both heating systems are excellent for keeping your home or business warm during the cold winter months. 

Steam boiler systems heat water to create steam, which is pumped throughout the house's radiators, whereas hot water boiler systems heat water and pumps it through radiators or baseboards.

In most cases, hot water boiler systems also heat water used for other purposes, such as bathing and cooking, which eliminates the need for a separate hot water tank. 

Boilers typically last 15 to 30 years.

• Old boilers can be replaced by smaller units which reduces the cost.
• Retrofitting a house to handle a high-efficiency boiler may cost extra.
• Repair and installation of high-efficiency boilers may be more expensive because they have more complicated technology.

Boilers heat water which is then conducted through radiators, radiant floor systems or a coil. Standard boilers tend to lose some of the energy used to heat the boiler during the conduction process. High-efficiency boilers on the other hand, are designed to trap the escaping heat and direct it back into the system.

The FTC requires that new boilers display their Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) so consumers can compare them.

Here are the ratings:

• Old, Low-Efficiency Boilers have 56% - 70% AFUE
• New, Minimum Efficiency Standard Boilers have 78% AFUE
• New, Mid-Efficiency Boilers have 80 - 83% AFUE
• New, High-Efficiency boilers have a 90 - 98% AFUE.

Hot Water Boilers
• Test the pressure-relief valve and high-limit control.
• Inspect the pressure tank.
• Clean the heat exchanger.

Steam Boilers
• Drain water to remove sediments.
• Check the safety controls.
• Analyze the water and add chemicals if needed.
• Clean the heat exchanger.

Both Systems
• Check the vent connection pipe and chimney to see if they are deteriorating.
• Check the heat exchangers and pipes to see if they are leaking.
• Adjust the water and air temperature settings for optimum efficiency and comfort.

• Make sure radiators are not obstructed by furniture, carpeting, rugs, and drapes.
• Be sure to release trapped air from hot water radiators at the beginning of the heating season and possibly one more time during the heating season. If you are unsure how to perform this task, contact a heating professional.
• Place shims under the radiators so they are pitched slightly toward the pipe in a one-pipe system or toward the steam trap in a two-pipe system.
• Place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and exterior walls to keep heat from escaping.