3 Must-Know Facts About Boilers
February is jokingly called “singles awareness month.” One of the downsides to being single is that there is no one to stay warm with through the harshest winter month. Luckily, every home has heating equipment to help eliminate the cold and the loneliness.
One of the things that homeowners find during the winter is that they are woefully unacquainted with their heating systems, especially if those systems are boilers. Boilers are not the most common heating system, so most people are unfamiliar with how they operate. This Valentine’s Day, homeowners should take a moment and get to know the boiler that keeps things hot all year long. Here are some facts about boilers from local experts to help homeowners become better acquainted with their boilers.
Boilers Don’t Boil Water
One of the first interesting facts about boilers that most people are surprised to learn is that they don’t boil water. The term is a holdover from the old days when boilers used the power of steam to heat buildings. One of the main problems with outdated boilers is that they are dangerous. Transporting live steam around a building resulted in frequent burns, and leaks were common in the steam piping.
Modern boilers reduce the danger by only heating water to around 180 degrees instead of over 212 degrees. Once the water is heated it is transported around the home through pipes where the heat is radiated off to warm rooms.
Boilers are an Eco-Friendly Option
The term “boiler” typically conjures up the idea of smoke-filled industrial parks belching out black smoke, but again, this is a misconception. Modern boilers burn fossil fuels as heat sources but are actually considered eco-friendly heating options. How is this possible? Like any appliance, boiler manufacturers must produce equipment that meets certain environmental standards. When selecting a new boiler, homeowners can select models that reach up to 98% efficiency, making them very efficient and lowering the carbon output of a home.
Some people are under the other misconception that boilers wastewater, which is also untrue. Boilers are a closed-loop system, meaning they repeatedly recycle the same water for heat. Contrary to the idea that they waste water, they often are relied upon as a source of hot water for a home, reducing the overall waste of fossil fuel for heating water.
Watch Out for Low Pressure
For those that own a boiler, it is very important to understand what attention they need to protect them from damage and ensure they are reliable. One of the common problems that boilers have when they have problems is low pressure. Part of the effectiveness of the closed-loop system relies upon the proper water level and pressure in the pipes. Too little water is circulated with low pressure, and the boiler fails to heat. This leads to higher bills and potentially big problems for the boiler. So, for this Valentine’s Day, make sure boilers are being cared for by reliable professionals. Think of it as a spa day for the heating system.
About Dutch Enterprises
Dutch Enterprises has kept local homes and businesses running for over 50 years. Their plumbing and HVAC technicians offer upfront pricing and promise fast turnarounds. Call today for effective boiler and heating solutions in Cape Girardeau, MO.
