It’s cold again in Rio Grande Valley. The frostiest months of winter tend to bring about more service and repair calls, which often results in the need for new heating systems. From furnaces to boilers, there are a number of products on the market that will ensure you’re warm. What’s a boiler you ask? Let’s explore.

Different Designs of Boilers

A boiler is a type of HVAC equipment used to heat your home, and it uses either steam or hot water to do so. Both use a boiler to heat the water and a radiant system to provide heat to all of the rooms in a home.

Steam Models

You could compare steam boilers to a teapot. These systems boil water to generate steam, which is transported to radiators throughout your home. Creating more steam heightens the pressure in the system and pushes the steam throughout the system. Radiators have air vents that open to let off the pressure – and the heat – into your rooms. The steam then cools, condenses to water and returns to the boiler to be reheated. Steam boilers are typically powered with natural gas or propane.

Hot Water Boilers

Hot water boilers work similarly but circulate hot water all over your home instead of steam. When you boost the heat, water begins to warm up and is sent through the radiant system when it has reached your desired temperature. Water boilers may be fueled using either oil or gas, however, oil-fired boilers are not commonly used outside of New England and the Northeast U.S.

Benefits of Getting Heat from a Boiler

Boilers are known for their almost soundless operation. In fact, you probably won’t hear a boiler working at all unless there’s an issue with the system. And, because radiant systems use pipes that are installed in the walls or floor, boilers can give you a more comfortable and even heat. Another bonus is that boilers don’t blow air around, helping lessen the allergens in the air.

Choosing the right heating system for your home can be a hard decision. Although they are often more expensive than furnaces, boilers offer quieter and more even heating for your home. If you’d like to find out more about the high-efficiency boilers available in Rio Grande Valley, give Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. a call at 956-553-3265.