Get to Know the Home's Boiler Better

Three Things Homeowners Might Not Know About Their Boilers 

A home’s boiler plays an important role; it heats the house even during the coldest months of the year. However, there are many things about these systems that homeowners may not know––which can be critical to a properly working system or help them decide on their next heater replacement. 

Some things to know about owning and operating a boiler include: 

Many Boilers Don’t Boil Water 

There’s a good reason why boilers have their names. When boilers were invented in the 1860s, they boiled water, then heated homes using hot water vapor. For many years, the basic design remained the same. That is until engineers came up with safer, alternative ways of designing these appliances. 

Now, most boilers operate using a heat exchanger instead of boiling water. Instead of boiling water in a storage tank, the boiler’s pipes heat water, sending that heat to various parts of the home. There are many advantages that modern-day boilers have over their older counterparts. Because many heat water on demand, they don’t rely on tanks, making them more energy efficient. They also offer more flexibility when it comes to their purchase and installation. 

Boilers Offer an Eco-Friendly Option 

Boilers, especially those certified by EnergyStar, offer an eco-friendly home heating option. EnergyStar reports that its boilers have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 87 percent or more for oil boilers and 90 percent or more for gas boilers. An AFUE score measures how efficiently an appliance operates. 

The higher a boiler’s AFUE score, the higher the initial purchase cost may be. However, homeowners will save over time because of the lower utility costs to run it. Some energy-efficient boilers also qualify for tax credits and rebates from the Inflation Reduction Act so homeowners can save even more. This makes installation more affordable and allows homeowners to start seeing the benefit of a green boiler almost instantly.  

Low Boiler Pressure Affects Efficiency 

Boilers need adequate pressure to operate correctly. When the boiler pressure inside the appliance is low, it may not heat the home as well as it could. It could also: 

• Shorten the boiler’s lifespan 
• Lead to higher energy bills 
• Increase the risk of problems to the system 
• Lead to poor indoor air quality 
• Lead to uneven heating throughout the home 

It’s crucial to get routine maintenance from a professional to prevent low pressure and other issues with a boiler. 

About RCL Mechanical 

RCL Mechanical is a locally-owned and operated business serving Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas. They offer flat rate pricing, financing, and 24/7 availability. Call them today for boiler services in Taunton, MA. 

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