Every good thing will eventually come to an end. Even though you’ve probably gotten a lot of good use out of your old boiler, this equipment can’t last indefinitely. There will come a time when its performance starts to decrease, showing losses in reliability and overall efficiency. As time goes on, boiler repairs won’t be the more economical choice and you will have to pay the cost for an oil boiler installation. This is an excellent opportunity to find a system with advanced features. It’s also a good time to get a more needs-specific oil boiler as well. Continue reading to learn more about what you should be looking for as you shop for a new boiler.
Top Things to Consider When Buying a Brand New Boiler
- Top Things to Consider When Buying a Brand New Boiler
- The Type of Oil Boiler You Have and Want
- The Size of Heating Oil Boilers
- How Efficient Is a Boiler?
- What It Takes to Maintain an Oil-Fired Boiler
- The Requirements for Venting Your New Boiler
- The Climate in Your Area
- Different Boiler Brands
- Final Thoughts
- Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
Replacing your oil boiler isn’t an easy feat. You want to give yourself plenty of time to consider all of the different options that are out there. Think about your home’s exact requirements. If you aren’t entirely family with these details, get in touch with an HVAC expert who can give you some advice. You can ask your HVAC installer all of the questions that you have. They’ll give you clear answers and assist you in making informed decisions all throughout this process. Following are several vital things to remember along the way:
The Type of Oil Boiler You Have and Want
You have the option of having a steam boiler installed or a hot water boiler. Both options work much the same, but they do have a few differences that are worth noting. Steam boilers don’t need as many accessories and they operate at higher temperatures. Hot water boilers are more efficient and these models tend to be a lot safer overall. Given just how powerful steam boilers are, they are generally best suited for industrial environments and bigger homes. Hot water boilers are usually the best choice for a small or medium-sized home. These systems can use natural gas for fuel or they can be powered by heating oil. Most homes in Pennsylvania use home heating oil because it has an affordable price and it’s very accessible.
The Size of Heating Oil Boilers
One very common assumption that people make is that a bigger boiler is going to work best. This isn’t actually the case. Every home has an ideal boiler size. If you purchase a boiler that’s far too large for your home, you will have to deal with a frustrating issue known as “short-cycling”. With short cycling, the home reaches the set temperature far too quickly and then the boiler automatically turns itself off. This rapid switching between off and on wears boilers down and diminishes their lifespans. Many consumers get the same boiler size that they had before, but it’s far safe to have a trusted HVAC company perform the needed calculations before choosing a model.
How Efficient Is a Boiler?
You have to think about more than just the upfront costs of buying a new boiler. For the average home in Pennsylvania, heating systems account for the vast majority of energy use. As such, you have to do what you can to limit the costs of using your new boiler. Choosing a high-efficiency model will limit your spending on heating fuel. You might have to pay a bit more to get a high-efficiency boiler, but this is a decision that is guaranteed to save you money over time. A boiler’s annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating is a measurement of how well it can convert fuel into heat energy throughout the course of a single heating season. Look for higher AFUE ratings to get optimum results. Boilers will have Energy Star labels when they have high efficiency or AFUE ratings.
What It Takes to Maintain an Oil-Fired Boiler
To keep your new boiler in good condition and performing efficiently throughout the years, you’ll need to give it consistent care. Each boiler model will have its own unique maintenance requirements. Find out what different boilers need in terms of care. You should additionally note that you won’t be able to take care of all maintenance tasks on your own. Some of these will need to be handled by licensed HVAC technicians. To ensure the longevity of these systems, you’ll have to set up annual maintenance services.
The Requirements for Venting Your New Boiler
Boilers must be ventilated so that the exhaust gases that are created when fuel is burned can be safely and effectively removed from your living environment. Find out which venting method your home is able to accommodate. When a boiler is chimney-vented, it has a vertical stack that passively ejects exhaust gases. Fumes that are low in density naturally drift up until they pass through the vent opening. Conversely, a boiler that’s power-vented will force the gas out by using a fan. This fan enables gas to be vented through a sidewall of the home without having to have a chimney put in. However, power-vented boilers need to have big, open rooms that get plenty of airflow. Comparatively, you’re able to install a direct-vented or chimney-vented boiler in a more confined space as this venting style isn’t reliant upon the indoor air.
The Climate in Your Area
Your local climate is obviously going to plan an important role in determining how much stress your heating system is subjected to. In certain areas, boilers only need to be used during the winter month. In others, boilers are sometimes used year-round. You want to choose a boiler that’s built to manage the typical load for your area.
Different Boiler Brands
All boiler manufacturers are innovating in their own unique ways. Some of these companies are far better than the rest when it comes to creating efficient and high-performing boilers. For instance, you will find some brands that have a consistent reputation for efficiency and durability. There are also companies that are known for providing highly responsive service when it comes to warranty repairs. Spending some time researching the top brands in this industry. Ask a few of your friends to recommend good boilers based on their own experiences. HVAC companies can also provide valuable advice given their considerable experience in this area.
Final Thoughts
The best boiler for your home will depend upon your own unique set of circumstances and your living environment. You can simplify this process by having a trusted HVAC company help you shop for your next boiler. If you are currently using heating oil to power your boiler, you should definitely shop for another oil boiler as this will curb your replacement costs. Look for factors such as capacity, efficiency ratings, maintenance requirements, venting styles, and brand.
Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
The Better Home Heat Council (BHHC) is a local association that aims to help homeowners with everything that has to do with fuel oil heat. We provide you with knowledge, especially on things regarding the economic and efficient use of heating oil. Also, we assist people in identifying and solving issues about energy efficiency in their homes or office. We accomplish this by pushing them towards an effective and affordable path to ensure that their living areas become more efficient and cost-effective.
The BHHC also supports heating oil delivery service companies that offer services, products, and solutions to homeowners in the Lehigh Valley. If you are searching for a superior full-service home heating oil delivery company near you, click here. Rest assured that most of the fuel oil delivery service companies in our system also provide free energy consultations.
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.