Do I Have a Boiler or Furnace?

When it comes to heating your home in Greater Maplewood, NJ, the type of equipment you have plays a critical role in comfort, efficiency, and cost. There are several types of heating systems, each with its own set of advantages and characteristics. Knowing what type of heating equipment you have is key to ensuring your home remains warm and energy efficient. Lucky for you, the experts here at Woolley Home Solutions have put together this guide to help you figure out what kind of heating system you have.

The Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler

Furnaces

Furnaces are one of the most common heating systems in homes. They operate by heating air and distributing it through ducts to different rooms. Furnaces can run on various fuels, such as heating oil or propane gas.

Furnaces have air filters, which should be changed regularly in your home to keep your system running smoothly and maintain optimal air quality. The only way to be sure about how often to change your air filter is to perform a visual inspection every month. When you protect your heating system with a heating service plan, your HVAC company will check your filters for you.

Boilers

Boilers heat water and use that water or steam to warm a home. The heat is then distributed through radiators, baseboard heaters, or radiant floor heating. Boilers can run on various fuels, such as heating oil or propane gas.

How to Identify Your Heating System

To figure out what type of heating system you have, start by inspecting the unit itself. Furnaces typically have large metal cabinets with ducts connected to them and distribute warm air through vents, which are usually located in the floors, walls, or ceilings.

Boilers, on the other hand, use water or steam to provide heat and are connected to radiators or baseboard heaters, which are typically found along the bottom of walls, or through tubing installed in the floor to provide radiant floor heating. If you’re looking at your heating equipment, boilers typically will have a gauge for pressure or temperature on the front of the boiler, and for steam, it will have a sight glass to indicate the water level.

You can also look for labels or model numbers on the unit, which can provide key details about the system type.

Signs You Might Need a Heating System Replacement

Once you’ve identified the type of heating system you have, you should also keep an eye out for some key signs that your furnace or boiler might be on its last legs. These include:

• Age: Furnaces and boilers typically last 15-20 years, while heat pumps last about 10-15 years. If your system is near the end of its lifespan, you might start noticing reduced efficiency.
• Rising Energy Bills: If your heating bills are steadily increasing despite no change in usage, it could indicate that your system is losing efficiency.
• Frequent Repairs: If you’re calling for repairs more frequently, it might be more cost-effective to replace the system altogether.
• Uneven Heating: Cold spots or uneven heating in your home can be a sign that your system is struggling to distribute heat properly.

Related Post: Top 4 Signs You Need a New Water Heater

Contact Woolley for a Free Heating System Upgrade Quote

New high-efficiency heating systems have proven safer, more reliable, and more cost-effective for NJ residents. Get in touch with the experts at Woolley Home Solutions today for a no-strings-attached quote on a heating system upgrade!