Boiler vs. Furnace

Thefurnacehas become a staple of modern living in America, but otherhome heatingsystems exist. You may find older homes that still use boilers, and they still make sense for some homeowners and landlords. If you’re not sure what the bestHVACsolution is for you, then you’ve come to the right place. Learn all about choosing aboiler vs. a furnacewith this helpful article.

What Is the Difference Between a Boiler and a Furnace?

boiler vs furnace comparison infographic

Consider the following pros and cons:

Furnaces

Afurnacesupplies heat to a home or building via aforced-air system. In other words, it circulates warm air around the home with a heating mechanism, a blower, and a duct and vent system.
Typically run onnatural gasorelectricity, you will find some furnaces fueled bypropaneoroil.
Proper guidelines suggest a minimum ofmonthly maintenance(changing theair filter).
A furnace can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the fuel type, efficiency, BTU output, etc.
If your house is already built for forced air, a furnace installation is relatively easy.
You don’t have to worry about plumbing leaks and the home damage that comes with them.

一个对大多数homeow炉将是正确的选择ners because you likely already need/have a forced-air system for cooling the home.

Boilers

Aboilersupplies heat to a home or building viaradiant heating. That means that hot water/steam is distributed around the house throughplumbing pipe. It’s very similar to how radiators work, except those operate locally, and a boiler is a central system.
Boilers run onnatural gas, electricity, oil, and in some cases, evenwood pellets.
Proper guidelines suggest年度维护in the form of a system checkup by a professional.
A boiler for your home is probably running between $3,500 and $8,000.
Even if your home is built for radiant heating, a boiler is still relatively difficult to install.
Because it uses water, extreme temperatures below the freezing point threaten the boiler’s operation.
Boilers arequieterandmore energy-efficient.
Radiant heat ismore comfortablethan forced air, and it’s better for people with allergies.
Certain setups will allow your boil to do double-duty as awater heater.
You can use your boiler toheatyour kitchen and bathroomfloors, as well as thedriveway(no more shoveling snow).

Unless your home is already plumbed for radiant heating, a boiler probably isn’t the best choice for you. However, if you are starting from scratch and building a new home in an area where you don’t even have or need AC, then a boiler is likely the right option for you.

Boilers, Furnaces, and More

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