We have reached the heating season here in Virginia. Though we don’t live in a part of the country where winters are extreme, we still face plenty of cold temperatures! If you are looking for a new heating system for your home, consider a boiler. Boilers are durable, reliable, and energy efficient. An experienced HVAC professional can help you decide if a boiler is right for your home.
Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Boiler’
What Are the Benefits of Using a Boiler?
Monday, December 3rd, 2018How Do Boilers Distribute Heat?
Monday, March 19th, 2018
We may be moving out of the heating season now, but we’re not in the clear. It’s still March, after all, and the weather in our area loves throwing curve balls at this time of the year. If you use a boiler to heat your home, and you suspect that there is a problem of any kind, don’t wait until the start of next winter to schedule a necessary boiler repair in Alexandria, VA.
What kind of problems are we talking about? Well, there are those that boilers may share with any heating system. Problems with combustion. Complete failure leaving your house frigid. However, there are also problems specific to boilers, mainly relating to the way in which they distribute heat throughout homes. You definitely don’t want to let such problems go untreated, so get in touch with us if any trouble comes up!
How Do Boilers Heat Water?
Monday, October 30th, 2017
There are a number of different heating systems that homeowners may choose to use in their homes. The furnace is certainly among the most popular, but boilers are right up there with them. Boilers require a bit more work during the installation process, though, particularly when it comes to the way in which they distribute heat.
You should not let this fact dissuade you from using a boiler in your home, though, especially when you take into account the benefits of using a boiler to heat your house. If you’re thinking about replacing a heater, or if you want to install a dependable system in a brand new home, give us a call. A boiler in Washington, DC may be just what you’re looking for.
Heating Your Home without Ductwork
Monday, October 9th, 2017
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a forced-air heating system to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the coldest time of the year. However, forced-air heating can sometimes be problematic due to issues that develop with ductwork. Today, we want to talk about two great heating options to consider that do not require the use of air ducts in order to warm a home. They are quite different in comparison to each other, but both offer benefits that ducted systems cannot.
Before we dive into our discussion of these heating systems, we do just want to remind you that working with trained professionals is an absolute necessity when dealing with your heater. The last thing that you want to do is to invest in a quality heating system, only to find that its performance is subpar due to shoddy workmanship. Working with us means that you’ll get the most from your heater in Capitol Hill. The following systems are just two of many heating options that we offer for installation.
Why Choose a Boiler Installation?
Monday, August 28th, 2017Has the time come to replace an old heating system? Do you have a new home going up, and want to explore your various home heating options? Whatever the case may be, you should definitely consider the installation of a boiler in Washington, DC. When you choose to use a boiler to heat your home, you are choosing to enjoy some truly outstanding benefits. Of course, no heater is going to be the right match for every home or homeowner.
In the following post, we’ll help you to discover some of the benefits of using a boiler in the winter season, as well as some of the potential drawbacks of doing so. That way, you’ll have a foundational base of knowledge to work with when deciding whether or not a boiler is the right fit for your homelife. Be sure to contact us with any questions that you may have. We know boilers and boiler installations inside and out.
What Is the Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler?
Monday, March 13th, 2017
We are going to be using our heating systems for a while longer still. Now is a great time to start thinking about the future of your heater, though. More specifically, it is a good to decide if your heater actually has a future left in front of it. If you had a bad experience with an old heating system this past winter, then you should start to think seriously about a heater replacement in Capitol Hill.
Even if you do decide that the time is right for a heater replacement, there is another big question to ponder. What type of heating system are you planning on using? Two of the most common options are the furnace and the boiler. While those homeowners with existing heating systems often tend to stick with what they know, there is usually an opportunity for trying something different. If you’re ready to replace a heater or need one installed in a new property, both furnaces and boilers warrant consideration.
Some Boiler Sounds to Listen For
Monday, November 21st, 2016Your boiler may not operate completely silently, but it shouldn’t be too far off. If you hear new, unfamiliar sounds from your boiler, it is possible that your boiler is malfunctioning in some way. Because any such problems could create a potentially dangerous situation, you should alert a professional boiler technician as soon as possible. We can figure out why your boiler in Washington, DC is making strange sounds, and we can figure out precisely how best to resolve the problem.
How Hard Water Affects a Boiler
Monday, January 18th, 2016If you use a boiler to heat your home throughout the most bitterly cold time of the year, then you don’t need us to tell you just how successful an endeavor this can be. Boilers are not as popular as they are, after all this time, by chance. They are efficient, effective, and highly durable home heating systems. However, this does not mean that you can expect your boiler to be completely problem free. A boiler is a mechanical system, and all mechanical systems are subject to operational problems from time to time. One issue that can negatively impact your boiler in Washington, D.C. is hard water.
What Qualifies a Boiler for the ENERGY STAR Label?
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014When shopping for a heating system for your home, one of the main criteria you should use to help you select a unit is efficiency. The more efficient a furnace or boiler, the more you can expect to save on your energy bills. You will also help with energy conservation and protecting the environment.
One of the easiest ways to tell that a heater is energy-efficient is to look for the ENERGY STAR label. (And yes, it is trademarked in ALL CAPS; we’re not yelling at you.) In this post we’ll explain what the ENERGY STAR label means and how a boiler in Washington, DC can qualify for one.
To find great installation on an efficient ENERGY STAR boiler, contact Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We’ve kept the nation’s capital warm since 2001.
The ENERGY STAR label and boilers
In 1992, the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy instituted the ENERGY STAR standard for products created in the U.S.A. Appliances, ranging from HVAC systems to computer peripherals, that use on average 20–30% less energy than the federal requirement earn the ENERGY STAR label to show they go beyond the minimum in an effort to conserve energy and save consumer dollars.
According to the ENERGY STAR website, for a boiler to qualify for the label it must have an AFUE rating of 85% or greater. This means that the boiler burns at least 85% of the fuel available to it and converts it into heat. So for every 100 units of fuel, the boiler must generate 85 BTUs of heating, wasting only 15% of its fuel. Features of ENERGY STAR boilers that help them reach this level include: electronic ignition, which means no standing pilot light drains extra power; advanced combustion technology that draws more energy from the fuel supply; and sealed combustion that reduces drafts.
Some boilers are even more efficient
Keep in mind that 85% is the minimum to receive the ENERGY STAR labels. There are models with even greater efficiency. When you are searching for a boiler in Washington, D.C. to keep you warm through the winters and other cold days of the year, look first for the ENERGY STAR label, but also check on the AFUE rating and consult with an installation professional to make sure you are getting the right boiler for your needs.
Trust to Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. when it comes to putting a new boiler in your home. We offer a wide range of services for boilers and other heating systems.
Which System Needs Fewer Repairs, a Furnace or a Boiler?
Tuesday, January 28th, 2014Which system needs fewer repairs, a furnace or a boiler? If you’re looking to install a heater or a boiler in Alexandria, VA, that’s a pertinent question. The answer isn’t clear cut – and specifics vary widely depending upon the quality of the system and how well it is maintained. If you look at the averages, however, boilers general tend to need fewer repairs than furnaces.
The reasons for this are simple. On the whole boilers have fewer moving parts than furnaces do, relying on water and pressure to transfer heat through the system. Furnaces, on the other hand, create hot air which is then blown through your house via a system of ducts. This requires motors, fans and other moving parts, which means greater friction on moving parts and greater wear and tear. Granted, the heat required for the boiler to function exacts a toll on its own, but on the whole, boilers tend to last much longer before breaking down.
That translates to a longer life in general for boilers than for furnaces. However, boilers tend to me more expensive to install, and you can’t use your radiators for cooling in the summer. However, you can easily use the duct system of your furnace with a central air conditioning system to cool your home during the hotter months. Remember to talk to an HVAC contractor about what you want from your system, and they can help you determine which heater is right for your needs.
Regardless of the system you select, you’re going to need a qualified service provider to do the job right. If you need furnace or boiler service in Alexandria, VA, call on Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. We have the training, experience and personnel to do the job right the first time every time. Contact us today to make an appointment!
