Residential boilers are relatively reliable, and many homes may contain boilers well beyond their expected lifespans. While you can often keep a boiler running for many years, repair costs will eventually far exceed the unit's value, and replacement becomes a more cost-effective option. However, choosing a boiler requires a little more care than you might expect.
If you're replacing the boiler in your home for the first time, don't simply choose the first replacement that matches the specifications of your current heater.
Why Shouldn't You Choose a Direct Boiler Replacement?
Like any other piece of HVAC equipment, your home's boiler should have a capacity that matches its load. In other words, smaller homes with less substantial cooling needs should have smaller boilers. Thick insulation, low winter temperatures, and other factors can also reduce your home's heating load. Unfortunately, many homeowners may already have oversized boilers for their applications.
It's critical never to consider extra capacity as providing a "safety factor" for your home's heating or cooling needs. A boiler that's too large will operate inefficiently, potentially leading to less comfortable temperatures in the winter alongside much higher heating costs. Since the boiler isn't working within its design specifications, you can also expect more problems and a reduced lifetime.
If you rely on your current boiler's capacity without knowing the source of that calculation, you may purchase an equally oversized replacement. This approach can be particularly costly if you're buying a high-efficiency unit since you'll be spending extra money without gaining the full benefits of owning a more efficient boiler.
What Should You Do Instead?
You should always work with an experienced heating contractor to install and choose your new boiler. A contractor can perform a thorough heating analysis on your home, providing you with a heat loss estimate. This value tells you roughly how much heat your home loses on cold days, allowing you to choose a boiler that's correctly sized to maintain an appropriate interior temperature.
If you have a very old boiler, you may be surprised to learn that this heat loss calculation comes up with a much lower number than your current capacity. While it might seem like you're losing out by purchasing a smaller unit, you'll end up with a more efficient heating system that can more effectively keep your home warm.
Remember that more is never necessarily better when it comes to your home's HVAC gear. You should always attempt to purchase the equipment that's correctly sized for your application, ensuring your heating system can operate safely, efficiently, and effectively under all conditions.
Contact a heating contractor for more information.
Share24 February 2022
Hi there, I am Nadine Bachmier. I am going to discuss the various ways HVAC contractors can keep the temperatures in your business stable. HVAC contractors focus on maintaining and repairing the air conditioner, furnace, and ductwork used in your building. To keep the heating and cooling system in good shape, contractors may need to replace internal components, clean out channels, or simply perform a full upgrade. I will talk about the tools and techniques used to maintain and repair the equipment in your building. I will also share information about new products as they hit the HVAC market. I hope you will follow along and learn all you can.