Is it Time for a Boiler Upgrade?
Even if your old boiler still keeps you warm in the snowy Delaware and Pennsylvania winters, it might be costing you more than it should. A boiler upgrade could cut your bills and boost your comfort.
Know When it’s Time for a Boiler Upgrade
A boiler can run for 15 years or longer with no major problems, but if your system is nearing this age, it’s not only less than optimally efficient, it’s also at risk for a breakdown. Replacing it with a more efficient system can lower your monthly heating bills. By planning ahead for replacement, you’ll have time to choose the system that best meets you needs, rather than be forced to decide quickly because you have no heat in the house.
Frequent need for repairs or parts replacements also suggests it’s time for a boiler upgrade. If you have to call a service technician for repairs more than once a year, the money you spend on maintenance would be better invested in a properly working boiler.
Poor performance is another reason to consider upgrading. If your radiators don’t feel as warm as they should or your heating bills are constantly rising, a new boiler could help.
Get Familiar with Your Options
Today’s boilers are 10 to 30 percent more efficient than those installed 30 years ago. For maximum efficiency, choose an Energy Star-qualified model. These boilers are up to 12 percent more efficient than standard boilers that merely meet federal minimum requirements.
Most of these are condensing boilers. Condensing boilers contain a dual heat exchanger that allow them to extract heat from the combustion gases that less-efficient systems send up the flue, letting the heat go to waste.
The sealed combustion technology used in modern boilers improves efficiency and safety, and reduces drafts. Modern boilers are also more compact, helping you save space.
At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
Photo Credit: kalyan02 via Compfight cc
