Everything You Need To Know About Choosing The Right Oil Boiler For Your Home
Every good thing eventually comes to an end. Even though your current boiler has offered multiple years of reliable service, this equipment won’t last for all time. At a certain point, you’ll notice significant decreases in its efficiency and performance. Moreover, paying for repairs may no longer be the most practical choice. There will invariably come a time when paying for an oil boiler installation in your home is simply unavoidable. However, this is an excellent opportunity to find a boiler that best suits the needs of your household. Keep reading to learn all of the different things to look for when shopping for a new boiler.
Key Things to Consider When Buying a New Oil Boiler
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A boiler replacement is a fairly complex endeavor. You’ll want to have ample time to research all of your options. You should determine the exact requirements for your home. If you aren’t highly familiar with these requirements, get advice from an HVAC company. You can ask an HVAC specialist any questions you have. This professional will help you make highly informed purchasing decisions on your own. Following are several key factors to consider as you go:
1. The Type of Boiler
You have your choice between a hot water boiler or a steam boiler for your home. These two boiler types work similarly, but they do have several distinct differences. Steam boilers have higher temperatures for heating and they need fewer accessories. Hot water boilers have safe designs overall and they tend to be a lot more efficient. Steam boilers have enough power for large homes and industrial applications. Comparatively, hot water boilers are sufficient for small to medium home sizes. These units can be fueled by natural gas or heating oil. Many New Jersey households prefer home heating oil given how affordable and accessible this particular fuel type is.
2. The Size of a Heating Oil Boiler
Many homeowners assume that bigger boilers are always preferable to smaller ones. This, however, simply isn’t the case. There is an ideal boiler size for each home. If your heating system winds up being too big for your home, you may contend with the all-too-common problem of “short-cycling”. With short-cycling, the interior of the home reaches the desired level of heat far too quickly and the boiler cycles itself off. This rapid switching can wear heating systems down and lead to premature failure. Many homeowners get the same boiler size as the ones that they already had installed, but it’s always best to have an HVAC expert determine proper boiler sizing.
3. Heating Oil Boiler Efficiency
The upfront costs of a new boiler are only one small factor to consider when making this purchase. Heating systems use the most energy in nearly every home. As such, you should do all that you can to limit the operating costs of this equipment. You can minimize your spending on fuel by opting for a high-efficiency boiler. You might have to a bit more to have this type of unit installed, but it will help you save cash over time. The AFUE of a boiler measures its ability to convert fuel into heat energy throughout the heating system. Opting for a unit with a higher AFUE rating will give you the best results. Highly efficient boilers come with the Energy Star label.
4. Maintaining an Oil-Fired Boiler
Your boiler will need routine maintenance to last and to continue performing like it should. Different boiler types have different maintenance requirements. Find out what type of care a boiler will need before choosing to have it put into your home. Make sure that you’re able to stay on top of the required maintenance. Remember that not all maintenance tasks can be handled by homeowners themselves. Some maintenance needs must be taken care of by licensed HVAC professionals. Schedule yearly boiler maintenance to ensure that your new boiler stays running for a long time.
5. Venting Requirements for an Oil Boiler
Your boiler must be vented to route out the exhaust gases that come from burning fuel. Find out which ventilation method is right for your home. Boilers that are vented through chimneys passively eject gases via a vertical stack. Fumes with a lower density naturally move upwards until they are released through the opening. Conversely, boilers that are power-vented force combustion gases out of the home using fans. With a blower, it’s possible to vent combustion gases through a side wall without the need for a chimney. However, this setup requires you to have a large, open room that has plenty of air. Last, boilers that are direct-vented can be used in smaller spaces given that they aren’t reliant on indoor air.
6. The Local Climate
The local climate will largely determine how much stress the heating system is subjected to. In certain areas, it will only be cold enough to warrant using your boiler in winter. In other locations, you might need to use your boiler year-round. It’s best to choose a boiler that’s capable of handling your load.
7. Oil Boiler Brands
All boiler manufacturers make efforts to innovate in their own ways. Some companies are far better at innovating than others. For instance, some boiler brands have longstanding reputations for efficiency and durability. They may even have more responsive repair services for warranty issues. Homeowners should do research themselves to find out about top-rated boiler brands before buying one. You can ask close friends and family members for recommendations. HVAC companies can also offer helpful guidance and advice based upon their years of industry experience.
Conclusion
Your own unique situation will determine the absolute best boiler for your home. Simplify your search for a new boiler by working with a reputable HVAC contractor. If your current boiler uses heating oil, shop for an oil-burning boiler as a replacement to limit your overall spending. Look for high levels of efficiency, and a good match for venting, capacity, and brand.
Call Lawes Company for All Your HVAC Needs
Lawes Company provides the best HVAC services in the Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey region. We are composed of highly qualified technicians who can give you satisfying outcomes for repairs, replacements, installations, and tune-ups. Everyone in our team is capable of delivering effective solutions for your heating and cooling equipment.
Lawes Company makes it a point to keep service costs competitive. You are sure to get good value for your money. We offer maintenance services to boost your system’s energy efficiency, increase your comfort, and lower your utility bills. We can also repair or replace systems depending on the situation. For the latter, we can point you to a modern unit that matches your household needs. Every service is backed by a satisfaction guarantee so you can deal with us with utmost confidence.
In addition, we are proud to offer trusted and affordable heating oil deliveries. We are known for our fast and reliable services. We offer different heating oil plans and financing options as a way to customize your fuel deliveries to meet your needs. Be sure to contact Lawes Company today to ask for more information or request service.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!