Learning About HVAC Equipment

When it comes to residential heating, most homes have either a boiler or a furnace. Both systems can be extremely efficient and productive, so it just depends on your particular needs and the design of your home. There are obviously some very important differences between these two heating systems, so it is important to understand them if you are building a new home and trying to figure out which will be best for your property. This article explains the key differences between boilers and furnaces.

How Boilers Work

Boilers heat buildings in a unique way. That is, they don't directly heat the air. The boiler heats water that is circulated through a system of pipes within the walls. There is often a radiator mounted on the outside of the wall where you can adjust the flow through the pipes. However, most of the heating is done through the pipes inside the floors and walls. This radiant heat penetrates your home and heats up the air.

How Furnaces Work

This is very different from furnaces. Furnaces actually heat the air which is then circulated by fans through the duct system. Furnaces are definitely more common in residential structures. This is partly due to the fact that modern homes have cavities within the walls that can be easily fitted with duct systems which are then connected to the heating and air conditioning. Of course, most new homes are going to have a furnace and duct system. However, both heating systems can work great on many properties.

Boiler systems can work great on homes that have solid walls. That is, if your walls don't have cavities that the ducts can fit in, a boiler system will be great. The pipes are much smaller than ducts, meaning that they don't necessitate cavities in the wall. Both systems are powered by a combination of electricity and gas. The type of fuel that you use mainly depends on what is readily available from your utility company. For instance, propane and natural gasses are the most common in suburban communities. However, for homeowners that live in areas that are too far removed from public utilities, it is possible to have your fuel stored in a tank. This way you don't need to rely on the utility services.

The fuel is probably the most important thing to consider because it will affect the efficiency and cost of heating your home. For more information, talk to a company like Rickett Industrial Environmental Systems.