In its simplest form, a boiler is any closed vessel in which fluid – usually water – is heated. The heat is generated by combustion of coal, oil or gas, although electric boilers are also available. Once the water heats up, it is circulated throughout the system’s interconnected piping and radiators. In doing so it heats whichever rooms the radiators are located within. As the water cools, it returns to the boiler where it begins the process anew.

The Advantages of Hot Water Heat

Only about 9 million American single-family homes have boilers, whereas 35 million homes have forced air furnaces. But in spite of their relative unpopularity, boilers do offer many advantages. Here are just some of the reasons why people choose hot water heat for their homes!

Greater comfort. Instead of blowing heated air around the building, a boiler system produces radiant heat. This type of heat excels at heating the floors and other surfaces around the radiators where it can be better appreciated by occupants.

Less noise. A boiler isn’t totally silent. Its moving parts and the passage of hot water through the piping and radiators both make noise. Even so, a boiler system isn’t nearly as loud as the intermittent operation of a forced air furnace’s blower mechanism.

Higher efficiency. Water molecules are spaced more closely together than those of air. A boiler requires relatively less fuel to produce heat as a result. If you’re doing all you can to decrease your home’s carbon footprint, that alone can justify a new boiler’s higher upfront installation cost.

Better air quality. A boiler doesn’t require air in order to circulate heat. If your home contains pollen, pet dander, mold spores or volatile organic compounds, it will not worsen your indoor air quality by blowing those irritants around.

No ductwork. If you are installing a heating system in a home that doesn’t already contain ductwork, then a boiler represents your less intrusive option. Pipe installation does necessitate some property alteration, but not nearly as much as ductwork installation.

Readily available hot water. In certain cases, water heated by a boiler may also be used for other practical applications, such as showering and laundering clothes.

Boilers Are Low Maintenance

We saved one of the most appealing advantages of hot water heat for last. A boiler requires significantly less maintenance than a forced air furnace, thanks in no small part to the fact that it does not require regular air filter replacement.

Boiler maintenance is one of the more straightforward HVAC services offered by Gilk Services. It usually entails nothing more than an annual tune-up, which includes:

Inspection of fuel oil level, burner refractory material, gaskets, system valves, safety valves, electrical terminals, chimneys and fireside surfaces.
Cleaning of low water cut-off, condensate receiver, chimneys, fireside surfaces and other components
Recalibration of operating controls
Overhauling of feed water pumps

Does your home already have a boiler that you would like to have professionally maintained each year? Or would you like to install a new boiler and reap all the benefits that hot water heat uniquely has to offer? Then we welcome you to contact Gilk Services today! We serve commercial and residential property owners throughout Albany, Avon, Cold Spring, Eden Valley, Freeport, Kimball, Lake Henry, Paynesville, Richmond, Rockville, St. Joseph, Waite Park, St. Cloud, Sartell, and Watkins, Minnesota for all their heating needs.