Living in Muncie, Indiana, you’re probably already familiar with furnaces as a heating option—and maybe heat pumps. But did you know that boilers can heat your home too? If you’ve ever been in a building with a radiator, you’ve been somewhere heated by a boiler. Whether you want to explore a different heating option or need to understand the boiler already in your new home, here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Boiler in a House?

While boilers have a variety of applications, in homes, they’re typically used for heating. As you may be able to guess from the name, a boiler heats your home using hot water or, in older systems, steam. This differs from a furnace (which directly heats and redistributes air) or a heat pump (which removes cold air from your home and replaces it with warm air).

While the boiler that produces heat remains relatively the same system to system, the heat distribution methods can differ.

How Does a Boiler Heating System Work?

Everything starts with the central boiler in your home. It heats—but doesn’t actually boil—water using either natural gas or electricity, though gas is the most common. The boiler then distributes hot water through pipes, much like a furnace pushes hot air through vents.

Once the water is in the pipes, heat enters your home in one of a few ways:

  • Radiator. Radiators are probably the most widely known option for radiant heat. The hot water passes through pipes in the radiator, which gives off heat and warms the room. You’ll need radiators throughout your home to distribute heat.

  • Baseboard. This is one of the more popular distribution methods since it’s less obtrusive than a standard radiator. A long, low baseboard heater puts out radiant heat.

  • In-floor heating loops. Also called hydronic heating, heated floors may sound like a luxury, but they’re just one way for boilers to distribute heat. The hot water flowing in tubes installed under your floors keeps your feet warm and radiates heat through your entire living space.

Boilers provide radiant heat, which warms objects more than the air in a room. Some homeowners prefer boilers and radiant heat because it makes them feel warmer than the temperature set on the thermostat.

What’s the Difference Between a Boiler and a Water Heater?

When it comes to boiler vs. water heater, “difference” is actually a bit of a misnomer. Boilers can function as water heaters and as home heating systems. In fact, you could get a combination boiler and hot water heater. Called a combi-boiler, these systems separately heat the water that warms your home and the water that comes out of your faucets. They save space by only using one tank.

How to Decide If a Boiler Heat System Is Right for You

Here’s what to consider when thinking about installing a boiler:

  • Boilers don’t require ducts. That can make them easier to install in older homes. However, many don’t like the look of exposed pipes, and hiding them in the wall can be costly and make them difficult to access for maintenance.

  • You need to schedule regular maintenance. Like other HVAC systems, boilers require an annual maintenance check to remain in the best working condition. We recommend a tune-up service once a year.

  • Adjust heating by room. Many boiler heating systems make it easier to create zoned heating than forced-air systems. You can choose uniform heating or direct less heat to unused rooms and more to your daily living spaces.

  • High-efficiency models can be expensive. Most boilers run on natural gas, which is a less clean energy source than electricity. While 95-100% efficient electric boilers are available, they’re more expensive and probably not what you have in place if you already have a boiler. If you want to protect the environment, an electric furnace or a heat pump are your best options. Sticking with a boiler? Look for a condensing unit, which recycles waste heat by using it to preheat the next batch of water.

Hire Experienced Local Pros for Boiler Installation in Muncie

Have you decided that a boiler is right for you? Maintain the one you already have or get a new one installed with a little help from the experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Muncie.

Boilers can be dangerous to work with because of the heated water in the system. Our HVAC technicians have the tools and knowledge to safely repair or install your boiler system. Call (765) 204-1218 today or book service online to stay cozy in Muncie’s beautiful but chilly fall and winter.