Boilers Vs Furnaces: A Detailed Guide to Choosing the Right Heating Solution
Many homeowners are often confused about the differences between boiler heat and furnace heating. While both heating systems can keep homes warm during sub-zero temperatures, there are several fundamental differences between the two that can affect everything from upfront costs and installation to energy bills and maintenance needs.
What is a Boiler?
A boiler is a sizeable, enclosed container that uses steam or water to heat your home’s heating system. It’s the central component of most heating systems and plays a critical role in heat emission and distribution.
Unlike other appliances that run on liquid or water, boilers do not use any pipes for heating and therefore, there is no risk of freezing or burst pipe. This makes them an ideal option for homes in regions that experience harsh winter weather.
Deciding between a boiler and a furnace can be challenging, but this detailed guide to choosing the right heating solution can help you make an informed decision based on efficiency, cost, and your home’s requirements. Furnaces rely on heated air for their operation and are generally more expensive to operate than boilers. However, there are a few factors to consider when estimating the boiler vs furnace monthly cost including fuel prices, efficiency ratings, and other variables.
Furnaces are fueled by natural gas, propane, oil, or electricity and can be used in either horizontal, vertical or downflow configurations. They’re also known as forced-air heaters since room-temperature or cool air is pushed (forced) into the heat exchanger and warmed before being blown out through HVAC ductwork and into your rooms.