With cold weather heading our way in Cincinnati, consider buying a boiler to replace your aging or inefficient heating system. However, you should educate yourself about a few key factors before making such a major investment.

When choosing a new boiler, you should be aware of what the AFUE rating shown on the yellow EnergyGuide label means. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The minimum efficiency standards set by the government vary depending on the type of fuel utilized. In general, however, condensing boilers achieve the highest efficiency of all types of boiler systems.

There are two types of boilers: those that produce hot water and those that produce steam to heat your home. Steam boilers generate heat that's delivered through pipes to radiators. Hot-water boilers distribute hot water to baseboard radiators or through a radiant-floor system. They may also heat the air through a coil. Steam boilers are generally less efficient than hot-water models, but you can mitigate the difference through buying a boiler that is rated as a high-efficiency system.

The type of fuel source you choose largely depends upon the type you can access in your home, as boilers come in models that use oil, natural gas or electricity. Boilers that use electricity to produce heat are considered the most fuel-efficient; however, since electricity is somewhat expensive for heating purposes, it is usually better to stick with an oil or natural-gas model.

Before buying a boiler for your home, you should have your heating contractor evaluate your home's heating load to determine the size needed. The contractor can also advise you of any improvements you may need to make to your home to improve energy efficiency.

If you have questions regarding buying a boiler for your home, contact the experts at JonLe Heating & Cooling. We have been serving Butler County and the Greater Cincinnati area for over 50 years and will be happy to assist you. 

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