In many parts of the country, the furnace reigns supreme. Whether gas or electric or sometimes even oil or propane, forced-air furnaces are quite popular. They make use of the ductwork that many of the homes in our more northern climate don’t have, or didn’t until recently. Around here, another option is very popular, and it shouldn’t be overlooked: a home heating boiler. It lasts longer than any other heating system! Here’s why. When you need a boiler repair in Livingston, NJ, give us a call.
Boiler Life Expectancy
An electric furnace might last for up to 15 years, provided it has maintenance performed every single year. A gas furnace won’t last as long as that. 10-15 years is a good long life for a furnace that combusts natural gas. But a boiler long outlasts either of those. It can keep chugging happily along for 20 years! How is this possible? There are some pretty simple reasons.
Moving Parts
Each moving part in a system is a point of potential failure. Imagine a ball. While the toy itself does move, it is not made of separate components that have to move together or against one another. Now imagine a bicycle. There are endless points where things twist or spin, squeeze or pull. That’s why there are so many bicycle repair shops.
Furnaces have a lot of moving parts. There are motors, fans, and valves. Any one of these receives a lot of wear over the years, and eventually, they’ll wear out. Boilers really only have one main moving component: the circulator pump which keeps the hot water moving throughout your home. With this simpler design, there’s less opportunity for something to break.
Corrosion
Boilers are full of water. It’s true! So why would they be less likely to experience corrosion and rusting than a system that doesn’t consist largely of a water tank? Because water has a pH of around 7, which is neutral, and because the boiler has a special protective coating to guard against it.
Did you know that in addition to producing heat, and the exhaust which must be vented out of your home, a gas furnace produces condensation? This moisture buildup occurs inside the furnace cabinet. But because of how it’s created, it does not have a neutral pH. It is in fact pretty acidic, so it contributes much more significantly to corrosion than pure water would.
Maximizing Boiler Lifespan
Of course, it’s not enough to simply sit back and say, I have the longest-lasting heating system, so I don’t need to do anything about it for 20 years. No, it’s still important to have maintenance done each year. This will prevent tiny problems from building up until you do have a need for repair.
And if repairs are needed, have them done right away. Odd sounds or smells, drips or puddles, cold rooms or uneven temperatures, or rising utility bills can all indicate that your boiler does in fact have a problem. Don’t allow that problem to worsen until serious damage to the system occurs!
Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions about your boiler!