Thinking about getting a new boiler system for your Northeast Ohio home? It’s certainly a great investment if your current unit is over two decades old. Today’s high-efficiency systems provide much better home comfort using comparatively little energy. If your current unit is a switch-over from coal or uses a pilot light, you’ll benefit from replacing the old system. If your existing system has no induced-heat fan or vent dampers, replacement should be a long-term winner for you, too.
Your new boiler: Important deciding factors
Focus on these key areas when selecting a boiler replacement:
- Compare overall boiler performance by looking at the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. Boilers on the market since the early ’90s will have an AFUE of at least 80 percent, making them up to 25 percent more efficient than older systems.
- Selecting Energy Star-qualified equipment, with the blue label and white star, to get an AFUE of 85 percent or better. High-efficiency AFUE ratings start at 90 percent and rise to near 100.
- Your contractor may recommend a condensing boiler, which is an additional investment that can pay off in our climate.
- Look for control features that help save energy and improve performance. Common examples are water temperature modulators, which reduce off-peak losses for condensing-type boilers. Some boilers come with integrated controls, but it may make better financial sense to purchase add-on controls. Talk to an experienced contractor for a recommendation of what’s best in your specific situation.
- Select a model that is frugal with electricity while still covering the needs of our climate here in Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties, along with your specific household requirements.
- Indirect water heating, using a well-insulated, low-thermal-mass boiler can be quite efficient, saving you money year-round. In summer, your savings will come from eliminating heat loss that can occur through a storage water heater’s flue.
Want to learn more about choosing a new boiler system? Talk to the professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re happy to answer your questions and provide expert advice tailored to your household needs. Visit our website for valuable HVAC information of all types or just give us a call.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about new boiler systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area