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All equipment will someday live out its lifespan. Therefore, an old boiler that has served you well for many years will not last forever. It will significantly decline at some point, and you will feel a drop in its efficiency, reliability, and performance. It will no longer be able to provide the heating that it did before. Unfortunately, a boiler repair may not be the most pragmatic move. Consequently, you will need to face an oil boiler installation. Take this as an opportunity to find a boiler that offers better features that fall more in line with your current household needs. This article discusses what you should look for in a new oil boiler.
What To Factor In When Purchasing An Oil Boiler
It is a complex process to replace a boiler. Therefore, you should have ample time to check all your options. Determine the exact needs of your home as well. If you aren’t familiar with the details, consult an HVAC expert to get advice and more information. They can assist you in making sensible decisions throughout this undertaking. They can also answer all your queries with clear answers. Here are several important factors to consider during boiler replacement:
Oil Boiler Type
Homeowners can select between hot water boilers or steam boilers. Both types work similarly, with some notable differences. A steam boiler offers higher heating temperatures and fewer accessory needs. Its power means they are suitable for large homes and industrial structures. Whereas hot water boilers offer a safer design and higher efficiency. They are enough for small to average-sized homes. Natural gas or heating oil may be used to fuel these systems. Many homes in Connecticut tend to use heating oil due to its convenience, affordability, and availability.
Heating Oil Boiler Size
People usually assume that bigger boilers are better. This is untrue because each home has an optimal size. Getting a heating system that is too big will lead to short cycling. This problem is when the set temperature is reached too fast, causing the boiler to switch off. This on-and-off cycling leads to the system that wears out more quickly, which causes early breakdowns. Most homeowners buy the same boiler size as their original system. However, it is best to hire an HVAC specialist to conduct the proper HVAC load calculations.
Oil Boiler Efficiency
Don’t focus on the cost of acquisition alone. Heating systems have the highest energy consumption in all homes. Therefore, homeowners should do all they can to lower their operational costs. A high-efficiency boiler helps keep the heating fuel expenses as low as possible. It may require a higher initial cost, but you will have more savings in the long run. The AFUE rating measures the system’s ability to convert the fuel to energy over an entire heating season. A higher rating means better results. Look for the Energy Star label if you want boilers with the highest efficiency.
Oil-Fired Boiler Maintenance
Heating systems require constant upkeep to last longer and perform well. Different boilers have slightly varying maintenance service requirements. Determine the needs of different units before selecting one to ensure you can handle the ownership demands.
Heating systems need consistent care to perform well and last longer. Different boilers will require slightly different maintenance services. Learn about the needs of various units before choosing one of them. Make sure that you can handle the demands of ownership. Remember that not all maintenance work can be performed by homeowners. Some will require the skills and experience of trained HVAC technicians. Schedule annual professional maintenance for system longevity.
Boiler Venting Needs
Boilers need ventilation to eliminate the exhaust gasses from fuel combustion. Verify which method is suitable for the design of your home. Chimney-vented boilers require a vertical stack to get rid of the gasses passively. Low-density exhaust naturally floats up until they find an opening. On the other hand, power-vented boilers utilize fans to eject the gasses. The blower allows the boiler to vent using a side wall for homes without chimneys. However, this needs a large and open room with lots of air. Lastly, direct-vented boilers can be installed in confined rooms as they don’t depend on indoor air.
Regional Climate
The climate in the region you live in will significantly impact how much stress your heating system will experience. Some places only get cold enough to use a boiler during winter. However, there are places where it may be necessary to use the boiler year-round. Homeowners need to choose a boiler that can handle their required load.
Oil Boiler Brand Name
All manufacturers try their hand at innovating their systems. Some have demonstrated that they are more capable than others in creating boilers. There are certain brands known to have efficient and durable boilers. They may also be more responsive when homeowners need repairs under warranty. It is prudent that you research the top brands on the market. You can also ask friends and neighbors for their recommendations per their experience. The most helpful advice comes from HVAC contractors, as they have years of working in the industry.
Conclusion
Your unique home situation will dictate which boiler system is right for you. Have a reputable HVAC contractor help you to make the search easier. If you have a heating system that is powered by heating oil, look for another oil boiler to reduce your system replacement expenditure. Find a system that matches your needs well when it comes to brand name, efficiency rating, venting needs, and system capacity.
Call Wilcox Energy For All Your HVAC Requirements
Wilcox Energy provides high-quality heating and cooling services throughout the southern Connecticut shoreline. We have the best professionally certified and highly skilled technicians for all your HVAC service needs, such as maintenance, HVAC installations, replacements, and repairs. All our techs can service your HVAC system correctly using their knowledge and experience.
Our company offers highly affordable HVAC service rates in the locality. Our tune-up services help you achieve higher energy efficiency and better home comfort with reduced energy costs. If you need to replace or repair your HVAC system, we can recommend the most suitable and budget-friendly one for your home. Your satisfaction is important to us, so all our work is guaranteed. Call Wilcox Energy to schedule a service appointment today. We offer free, in-home estimates.
For more information about our HVAC services, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. You can click here to contact us, or you can call us at (860) 399-6218 to find out more. We offer a full line of heating and cooling repairs, maintenance services, and installations. Click the link to view our service area.