Furnace vs Boiler
The distinction between furnaces and boilers lies mainly in the method they use to generate heat. Furnaces and boilers are both popular techniques for heating homes across the country. While both methods are effective in providing warmth, they do so in different ways, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. To help homeowners make the right choice based on their circumstances and requirements, this article will explore the differences between these two heating methods.
What is a Furnace?
Furnaces heat air and distribute it throughout a home to maintain warmth. Once the furnace heats the air, a blower pushes the hot air through a duct system. The warm air is then distributed throughout the house via vents or registers located on walls, ceilings, or floors. When maintaining a furnace system, it is necessary to clean or change the air filter frequently – this may be required every quarter or as early as every month, depending on the location and needs of the home. For those using a furnace system that distributes hot air, the ability to heat rooms differently is not available. There is a centrally located thermostat that heats various areas of the house uniformly. As for humidity, a humidifier must be installed in rooms or attached to the system when using a furnace system.
What is a Boiler?
Boilers heat water and then use the water’s heat or steam to warm the house. To distribute steam, pipes carry the steam to radiators. Alternatively, hot water can provide warmth through radiant floor heating systems or by heating air via a coil system. Understanding these basic differences between a furnace and a boiler may not bring us closer to determining the most efficient way to heat our homes. Both boiler and furnace systems have manufacturers that offer long warranties, so maintenance is essential. For a boiler system, it is necessary to bleed excess air from the system periodically. This is done when rooms are not sufficiently heated. Regarding servicing, boilers only need maintenance once a year. If a cast iron gas boiler is used, it can last for years with minimal service.
One advantage of a boiler system is the ability to heat rooms differently using thermostats that can be set according to requirements. This means only needed rooms can be heated while leaving unused or rarely used rooms unheated. Another advantage of a boiler system is the higher humidity levels in the air within the house.
What is the difference between Furnace and Boiler Systems?
Boiler and furnace systems are both used to heat homes across the country.
• Purpose:
– Both furnaces and boilers are used to maintain heat within a house.
• Definition of Furnace and Boiler:
– A boiler, as the name suggests, boils water and uses the heat of the water or steam to keep the home warm.
– Conversely, a furnace heats air and sends this hot air through pipes throughout the home to maintain warmth.
• Use of Thermostat:
– Boiler systems have the ability to heat only the rooms being used with the help of thermostats.
– In the case of furnaces with a centrally located thermostat, rooms cannot be heated independently.
• Maintenance:
– Boiler systems only require servicing once a year.
– Furnace air filters must be changed at least once a month.
• Germs:
– Boiler systems do not spread germs around the house.
– Furnace systems can spread germs throughout the home.
• Humidity:
– Boiler systems result in higher humidity levels inside the house.
– Furnace systems result in lower humidity levels inside the house.
Key Takeaways
- Furnaces heat air and distribute it throughout a home, while boilers heat water and use the heat of the water or steam to heat the house.
- Boiler systems have the ability to heat rooms differently using thermostats, while furnaces have a centrally located thermostat that heats various areas of the house uniformly.
- Boiler systems require less frequent maintenance than furnace systems and do not spread germs around the house like furnace systems can.
