Installing and purchasing a new boiler can be an expensive investment that adds both value to your property and lowers energy bills.
Working with an HVAC professional is key when selecting the appropriate boiler for your home. They use a Manual J calculation that takes several factors, such as insulation values and windows into account when making their recommendation.
Efficiency
An efficient boiler will produce ample amounts of steam and hot water from minimal fuel use – this is known as efficiency. The more energy-efficient your boiler is, the greater its savings on energy costs – this is particularly helpful in times of rising fuel costs.
Efficiency can be measured using an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating for your boiler, which measures what percent of total energy output actually gets converted into heat for heating your home. A modern boiler with an AFUE rating of 95 percent could save over $1,300 annually on energy costs.
Once your new boiler has been installed, there are other steps you can take to increase energy efficiency in your home by increasing insulation, caulking around doors and windows, insulating attic spaces, crawl spaces or attic storage rooms and even investing in a programmable thermostat that helps control its energy use day and night.
When selecting a boiler, select one with a high factory AFUE rating. Many modern gas boilers boast over 95 percent AFUE ratings and Energy Star certification; some even feature outdoor reset modulation features to match outside temperatures and adjust accordingly. With natural gas models you can further optimize its efficiency by installing condensate drain pumps and variable speed fans for further efficiency gains.
Oil-fueled boilers can have a significant environmental impact due to the amount of energy they require and emissions produced; natural gas provides a much cleaner alternative.
Investment in a high-quality boiler makes maintenance much simpler. Oil-fueled models may be susceptible to clogging and other maintenance issues; gas or water-fueled ones tend to experience much fewer. As such, your time and money spent on maintenance will decrease significantly while keeping it in top shape will extend its lifecycle.
Safety
If your current boiler is nearing the end of its lifespan or you’re considering upgrading, it is essential that you understand its advantages. Modern boilers offer efficient yet cost-effective comfort heating that can significantly cut energy costs.
Boilers use natural gas, oil, propane or electricity to generate hot water and steam that heat your home via radiators, baseboard convectors, radiant floor heat or fan-forced coils. Boilers are more energy-efficient than forced air systems since water conducts thermal energy more effectively and retains warmth longer; some modern boilers boast an AFUE rating of 98.5 percent or greater – meaning over 95% of fuel burned is turned into usable heat for your building’s occupants.
As well as their high efficiency, modern boilers are also engineered with safety in mind. Their integrated controls make it simple to monitor key parameters like temperature and pressure of your unit as well as an emergency shutoff to protect from overheating. Some models also come equipped with low-nitrogen oxide emissions technology in order to lower environmental pollution and meet stringent EPA requirements.
Selecting a boiler that matches your home or business’s heating load is also key to selecting an efficient boiler solution. A large boiler could waste energy by warming unoccupied spaces while one too small will not keep pace with heating demand.
Decide which boiler best fits your space by reviewing its BTU rating. Each boiler is graded A to G; A being the most energy-efficient rating. If your current boiler falls short with this regard, consider upgrading it now.
If you are concerned about the safety of your existing boiler or have a new construction project that requires an upgrade of its heating system, contact us. Our highly-experienced technicians can work with you to develop a custom solution to improve comfort and energy-efficiency within your facility.
Reliability
A boiler is at the core of any home’s heating system. Utilizing natural gas, oil, electricity or even wood for fuel production, its output heats water that then travels throughout the house via radiators, baseboard convectors, radiant floors or fan-forced coils. If your current unit is getting old or you’re replacing an older model with something better in terms of cost-cutting comfort and performance for years to come – consider investing in high quality models with long lifespans to provide low costs yet cozy heat over time!
Modern boilers boast impressive AFUE ratings of 95 percent or higher and are built for durability, thus cutting repair and replacement costs over time. You can select an energy-efficient model by considering BTU capacity, performance features and price.
When purchasing a combi boiler for your home, take note of its BTU capacity and turn-down ratios, which allow you to utilize only a fraction of its maximum output. Furthermore, check whether there is an automatic vent damper closing when not in use, as well as water velocity that helps reduce heat loss.
Another important consideration when choosing the appropriate boiler size for your home’s heating needs is finding one with adequate capacity and size. An undersized or oversized boiler could significantly impact its effectiveness; working with a professional to conduct a Manual-J load calculation to identify which is suitable.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, choose a boiler brand with high-quality products and outstanding customer service. Look for an established name with multiple awards; additionally pay attention to warranty periods and aftercare services provided by manufacturers; the longer the coverage, the fewer likely you are to experience any future issues with it.
Value
One way to ensure you are getting an exceptional value from your boiler installation is to choose a model with an outstanding energy efficiency rating. Switching over could reduce heating costs by up to 15 percent each year!
Energy efficiency can be measured using an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) score, which measures how much heat is transferred directly from your boiler into your home’s water instead of being lost through combustion. A lower AFUE score indicates less efficiency; higher-efficiency boilers with an AFUE rating of 80 or above could save you up to $364 in annual fuel costs.
Selecting an appropriately sized boiler for your home is also of great importance. A contractor should conduct a Manual-J load calculation to ascertain your home’s total heating capacity and insulation levels before suggesting an optimal size boiler for you. If making home improvements such as adding on or improving insulation levels requires extra heating capacity, larger boilers may be needed to accommodate them.
Your choice of brand can also have an effect on overall costs. Higher-quality models such as Lennox and Navien typically come with better warranties and energy efficiency ratings than lesser-known boiler brands, as well as longer warranties and increased energy savings ratings. Though more costly initially, these higher-end options tend to last longer and offer better value for your money.
An important component of a quality boiler is its warranty and customer service, so make sure that when you need them they’ll be there when you need them rather than leaving you in limbo like some less reliable boiler companies do.
Purchase of a quality boiler is an investment that will pay off over time, particularly if you plan to sell your home later. Upgrading to a more energy efficient heating system will increase its value and appeal more to potential buyers, so speaking to an HVAC company like Doc Dancer Heating & Air about available options and costs for purchasing a new boiler could be invaluable.