There’s nothing to get you as anxious as potentially going into a harsh winter without a proper heating system. In Cheshire, CT, where it gets brutally cold, every homeowner needs a quality heating unit. The issue isn’t the availability of heating units; you can pick them up everywhere. Rather, the issue is that people have a tough time choosing between a boiler and a furnace. Two of the most popular heating systems on the market, they each have their benefits and drawbacks. The choice is about more than keeping your home warm. It’s about indoor air quality, monthly expenses, the life of the system, and other issues.
The right heating replacement depends on several factors, including your budget, your existing infrastructure, and your personal comfort preferences. At F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we understand that you want a heating system upgrade that’s specific to your home. As trusted HVAC experts, we want to help you make an informed decision. Here is some information to help you make a choice between a boiler and a furnace installation.
What Is a Furnace?
A furnace is a forced-air heating system. The unit pulls cool air in from your home, heats it up via an exchanger, and then uses a blower motor to force it into the ductwork. Conditioned air is then forced through and pushed out into your living spaces. Wherever you have a vent or register installed, the hot air comes out.
The most common type of furnace is natural gas. However, you can certainly still find models that run on propane or even electric. The forced-air system heats up a home very quickly. Most homes in America were built with ductwork, and so the furnace is the most popular type of heating system, as it’s easy to install into almost any home.
What Is a Boiler?
As the name implies, a boiler literally boils water to create the heat. This is called hydronic heating, where the steam created pumps its way through a sealed-loop system of pipes throughout the home. Pipes run through devices called emitters, which emit the heat into the room from baseboard radiators, typically made of cast iron. You can also find PEX models that use flexible piping beneath floors for radiant heating.
Boilers are powered by natural gas, oil, propane, or electricity. The heat they create is very steady and consistent. Many people find it more comfortable than the “on-and-off” cycling of a forced-air system. That’s because the steam just recirculates over and over, providing a more gentle effect.
Key Differences Between Furnaces and Boilers
Overall, either heating option is going to get your room up to temperature. Generally speaking, the biggest difference people point out is the actual experience of the comfort they get from the heat. Furnaces have relatively short bursts of hot air. This can sometimes cause the heat to fluctuate. One minute it’s a bit hot, then the next it’s cooler, and sometimes you don’t feel the heat at all. Boilers have a lower, steady, more consistent warmth that doesn’t seem to fade in and out.
Efficiency is another area of comparison. Both systems rely on an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating. While both can reach high levels of efficiency, boilers are often perceived as more efficient. This is because they don’t risk losing any heat through the ductwork. The unit operates as a self-loop system. Furnaces are generally cheaper to install. This isn’t exactly a wash, however. Furnaces are more affordable, and boilers are more efficient at heating.
Benefits of Choosing a Furnace
If you are looking for a fast response to a cold house, a furnace is an excellent choice. With the forced air blown through the vents with a powerful fan, a cold house can become a warm house very quickly. Also, the upfront cost of a furnace installation is typically lower than that of a boiler, especially in modern homes with existing ductwork.
One of the biggest advantages is the compatibility with cooling. The furnace already uses ducts, and so adding or replacing a central air conditioner is straightforward. In cold climates like ours, a high-efficiency furnace provides reliable warmth and is fairly easy to maintain. We often recommend this option for homeowners who want a versatile, cost-effective heating system.
Benefits of Choosing a Boiler
A boiler offers a premium and steady level of comfort. Water retains heat better than the air. This makes the heat feel very gentle and natural. It dries out the air a lot less, which is a huge benefit for the Cheshire area. They’re also very silent with little to no noise like rattling or an engine running.
Another huge benefit of a boiler is its durability. It has a lot fewer moving parts than a typical furnace, and the piping system is more durable than ductwork. There are no fans or blowers to go bad on the system. A boiler installation is a solid option if you like low-maintenance options and peace and quiet.
Cost Considerations for Furnaces and Boilers
Most people learn after installing a new heater that it’s not so much about the upfront cost; it’s more about the return on investment (ROI). Simply put, a furnace or boiler’s upfront costs are offset over time due to their energy efficiency. Paying a lower monthly price for energy bills adds up rather quickly. What you’re going to save may be more important than what you shell out initially.
Also, consider whether or not you have ductwork existing in your home, and whether you want to make that upgrade if you don’t. This is another very large investment upfront. If you don’t have ductwork and want a furnace, that’s two brand-new installations you will need.
A boiler installation usually requires a higher initial investment due to the complexity of the plumbing and the cost of the system. However, you will likely experience much more affordable monthly energy costs, as you’re heating water, not air.
The last benefit for either model could come via state and federal government incentives. We suggest checking for local utility rebates and federal tax incentives that you can use.
Efficiency and Environmental Impact
The good news here is that both modern heating systems are very energy efficient. This means the systems are going to turn most of the fuel into heat. A boiler’s AFUE ratings can be as high as 98%, and a modern furnace’s rating isn’t that far behind. So, whichever one you select, you will be reaping savings month after month on fuel costs.
From an environmental standpoint, the type of fuel you use is just as important as the system type. More and more people are becoming very eco-conscious, and so natural gas is the go-to choice for an actual fuel to burn. To reduce your carbon footprint, this is likely the choice of fuel you want.
Home Factors That Influence the Right Choice
The size of your home is going to have an impact on your heat distribution. Larger homes typically do better with furnaces, as the ductwork has a register (or multiple registers) in every room. Radiant heating might be better for smaller homes. Also, consider how cold it gets in an area like Cheshire. Make sure you understand how warm your chosen system is able to get.
Common Misconceptions About Furnaces and Boilers
One common myth is that boilers are only for “old, drafty houses.” In reality, many modern luxury homes use radiant floor heating powered by a boiler. It’s the gold standard for comfort. Another misconception is that furnaces are inherently less efficient. While older furnaces were wasteful, modern furnaces convert most of their fuel into heat.
Some people also believe that boilers are dangerous because they involve “boiling” water. Modern boilers are closed-loop systems with numerous safety valves and sensors. Just as the hot water doesn’t escape from your home’s pipes, it won’t escape from your heater.
Signs Your Current Heating System Needs Replacement
No matter what type of heating system you currently have, you will see signs that you need heating replacement. Higher energy bills, frequent repairs on the same unit, or rooms never coming up to temperature; these are all signs of failure. Strange or loud noises can also be a tell-tale sign of failure. Call us when you notice trouble. We will help you by determining if you need some repairs, or a whole heating system upgrade.
How to Choose Between a Furnace and Boiler
To choose the right system, start by evaluating your current home. Make yourself a little checklist. Do you have ductwork already? Do you have an existing heater you can just switch out? Do you have pipes and radiators? Do you want a silent system, or are you okay with some noise? This is going to help you make the right choice for your particular situation.
We cannot tell you which system to choose here. However, we can tell you the exact size of the system you need for your home. We will perform a manual J load calculation, ensuring that the system we install is the perfect fit for your home. Whether that’s a boiler or a furnace, that choice is up to you.
How F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Can Help
At F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, our aim is to help you and your family achieve home comfort. The cost of a new heating system upgrade is a pretty big upfront expense. We work with you to find the system that’s right for your home and your budget. Our team will go over comprehensive evaluations to ensure you get the right fit for your home. We can show you all the latest models, explain the efficiency ratings, and give you the pros and cons.
We pride ourselves on professional installation and quality workmanship. Whether you need a complex boiler installation or a straightforward furnace installation, we ensure the job exceeds your expectations. After you’re up and running, feel free to take advantage of our maintenance plans to protect your investment and keep your system running well.
Book Heating Replacement Today
At F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we are proud to be the area’s premier HVAC contractor. Our services go well beyond heating installation. We also offer maintenance and repair options. As a full-service HVAC contractor, we also deal in all things HVACs, heat pumps, ductwork, mini-splits, and more. When it comes to your home comfort, we are the only call you have to make.
Contact F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today for more information about your heating options in Cheshire.
