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Furnace vs Boiler: Exploring the Key Differences in Home Heating Systems

key differences between furnace vs boiler

When it comes to keeping our homes warm and cozy, understanding the differences between furnaces and boilers is crucial. Each system has its unique features, advantages, and considerations. Let’s dive into the world of home heating and explore the nuances of furnace and boiler systems.

1. Heating Mechanism 

a. Furnace 

A furnace heats air and then distributes it throughout the house using ducts and vents. It relies on a forced-air system to circulate warm air.

b. Boiler 

A boiler, on the other hand, heats water or produces steam. The heat is then distributed through radiators or under-floor pipes, providing a different method of delivering warmth into your home. 

2. Working Mechanism 

a. Furnace

A furnace burns fuel such as gas or oil to generate heat which passes through a heat exchanger and heats it up. When air from your home’s ductwork passes over this heat exchanger, it gets heated in the process. The blower then pushes the warm air through the ducts and into your living spaces.

b. Boiler

Oil fired hot water boilers use either water or steam to transfer heat. Water is heated and then circulated through radiators or pipes, releasing heat into the rooms. Steam, if used, travels through pipes to radiators and condenses back into water, releasing heat in the process.

3. Maintenance Requirements

a. Furnace 

Furnaces generally require more frequent filter changes and air duct cleaning. Regular inspections and timely filter replacements are key to ensuring their optimal performance.

b. Boiler

Boiler heating systems tend to have fewer moving parts, reducing the need for constant maintenance. However, annual checks, including inspection of pipes and radiators, are essential for their longevity.

4. Energy Efficiency

a. Furnace

Consider investing in a high-efficiency oil boiler furnace for improved energy performance. These systems optimize fuel use, providing cost savings and environmental benefits.

b. Boiler

Gas boilers for home heating are known for their energy efficiency. They offer a cleaner burn and are a popular choice for homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

Boyle Energy – Your trusted heating solution partner in Philadelphia

If you’re a resident of the Philadelphia area and are seeking reliable boiler repair and oil furnace repair services, reach out to us at Boyle Energy. We’re a family run business – established in 1937, that specializes in home heating systems and assures you efficient and effective solutions for all your heating needs.

 

Call us today at (610) 347-5197 for top-notch boiler and oil furnace repair services, and let us keep your home warm and comfortable throughout the seasons.

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • HM-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness
  • Protecting your Customer Base
  • NORA Gold – Oil Tank Installation & Maintenance
  • Superior Customer Service & Selling Skills
  • Getting Lean and Mean Management

PROPANE CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Basic Plant Operations

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Silver Certification
  • Riello Gas And Oil Burners
  • Electrical/ECM Workshop for the Oil Heat Technician
  • Advanced Oil Heat
  • Oil Burner Set-Up & Installations
  • Nora Tank Seminar
  • Oil Training Seminar
  • Codes and Standards for the Installation of Oil-Fired Equip.

HVAC CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
  • Field Controls Residential Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality
  • Boilers and Controls
  • Burnham Boiler Installation & Systems Piping
  • Hydronics Step by Step
  • Airflow Class
  • Gas Codes & Standards
  • Colors of Heat/Hydronics Syst.
  • Basic Electrical And Controls Seminar
  • 4-Day Bryant, Carrier & Payne Basic AC
  • Reading and Understanding Wiring Schematics
  • 2-Day Heat Pump Service Workshop
  • Proper Sizing for HVAC Installations

PROPANE CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Bobtail Delivery Operations and Cylinder Delivery Combo
  • Basic Plant Operations
  • Designing and Installing Exterior Vapor Distribution Systems
  • Designing and Installing Interior Vapor Distribution Systems
  • Placing Vapor Distribution Systems and Appliances into Operation
  • Placing VDS into Operation
  • Basic Electricity for Propane Appliance
  • Gas Check
  • Cylinder Requalification

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • NORA Gold Hydronics Seminar
  • Combustion Tuneup
  • Basic Oil Heat Training
  • Combustion Testing

HVAC CERTIFICATIONS

  • Sales Skills for Technical Employees
  • Troubleshooting Low Voltage Wiring
  • Superior Customer Service & Selling Skills
  • Basic Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Combustion Tuneup
  • Basic Oil Heat Training
  • Combustion Testing
  • Heat Exchanger Experts Training

HVAC CERTIFICATION

  • Basic Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Protecting your Customer Base
  • Codes and Standards for the Installation of Oil-Fired Equip.
  • Energy Future Seminar – The Changing Oil picture for 2007

PROPANE CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Bobtail Delivery Operations and Cylinder Delivery Combo
  • Basic Plant Operations
  • Designing and Installing Exterior Vapor Distribution Systems
  • Gas Check
  • Cylinder Requalification

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • HM-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness
  • NORA Gold – Oil Tank Installation & Maintenance
  • Superior Customer Service &  Selling Skills
  • Getting Lean and Mean Management

Propane CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Basic Plant Operations

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Hm-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness
  • NORA Gold -Oil Tank Installation & Maintenance
  • Superior Customer Service & Selling Skills
  • Getting Lean and Mean Management

HVAC CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Basic Plant Operations

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • HM-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness

PROPANE CERTIFICATIONS

Basic Principles and Practices

Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Silver Certification
  • Electrical/ECM Workshop for the Oil Heat Technician
  • Advanced Oil Heat
  • HM-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness Training
  • Oil Burner Set-Up & Installation
  • Codes and Standards for the Installation of Oil-Fired Equip.
  • Nora Tank Seminar
  • Combustion Technology

HVAC CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
  • Air Conditioning Troubleshooting & Air Flow
  • Steam Heat
  • Field Controls Venting for the Future
  • Burnham Boiler Installation & Systems Piping
  • Boilers and Controls
  • Hydronics Step by Step
  • 2-Day Residential Load Calculations
  • Colors of Heat/Hydronic Syst
  • Airflow
  • Fundamentals of Piping 101
  • Basic Electrical and Controls Seminar
  • 4-Day Byrant, Carrier & Payne Basic Air Conditioning
  • 2-Day Heat pump Service Workshop
  • Motor Class for Technicians
  • EPA Approved Air Conditioning
  • Proper Sizing for HVAC Installations

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Certificates

OIL CERTIFICATIONS

  • NORA Storage Tank Installation and Maintenance
  • Combustion Technology Codes and Standards for the Installation of Oil Fired Equip.
  • Winter 2011-2012
  • HM-126F & Hazmat Security Awareness Training
  • New Pricing Ideas for Oil Dealers in 2011
  • Protecting your Customer Base
  • Nora Tank Seminar
  • Combustion Technology
  • Combined Compliance Seminar
  • PPMCSA Summer Conference
  • Roth Tank
  • Federated Risk Management

HVAC CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
  • Hydronics Step by Step Section 1
  • Color of Heat/Hydronic Syst.
  • Airflow
  • High Efficiency Gas Hot Air
  • Gas Codes and Standards
  • Basic Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
  • Crown Boiler Hydronics
  • Commercial Burner Beckett Program
  • Drug & Alcohol Awareness Supervisory
  • NFPA Standards
  • Combined Compliance
  • EPA Lead Safe Certified of Section 402 of TSCA

PROPANE CERTIFICATIONS

  • Basic Principles and Practices
  • Bobtail Delivery Operations and Cylinder Delivery Combo
  • Basic Plant Operations
  • Designing and Installing Exterior Vapor Distribution Systems
  • Designing and Installing Interior Vapor Distribution Systems
  • Placing Vapor Distribution Systems and Appliances into Operation
  • Placing VDS into Operation
  • Basic Electricity for Propane Appliance
  • Gas Check
  • Cylinder Requalification
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