When we talk to new homeowners or people considering updates to their existing HVAC systems, we try to impress upon them that a heating system is more than a piece of equipment. It’s a promise of comfort, warmth and safety on the iciest nights of the year.
At Dixon Energy, we’ve been serving the home comfort needs of residents in Denville, Montclair, Randolph and other northern New Jersey communities for over a century. Among these households are homes that use heating oil boilers and furnaces. In this article, we’ll discuss how oil-fired boilers and furnaces work and whether it makes sense to change the kind of heating system you have.
Boilers don’t rely on ductwork to provide heat. Instead, they heat water using a heating oil-fueled burner. They then distribute hot water or steam through pipes to warm your living spaces. Boiler systems (also called hydronic heating) use radiators, baseboards or radiant floor systems to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
Furnaces operate by pulling in cool air and heating it in a combustion chamber. The heated air then passes through the furnace’s heat exchanger, where a blower fan pushes it through your home’s ductwork and out through vents into each room. This system is known as forced-air heating.
Both boilers and furnaces have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on your needs.
Furnaces heat homes more quickly and utilize ductwork, which makes it easy to add central air conditioning if desired. However, forced-air systems can circulate dust, pollen, mold and other pollutants, potentially affecting your indoor air quality.
Boilers, on the other hand, provide a gentler, more humid heat that many people find more comfortable. They don’t circulate air, which helps maintain cleaner indoor air. However, boilers take longer to warm a space, and replacing a boiler can be more complex than replacing a furnace. A major boiler failure also poses the risk of water damage to your home.
Completely overhauling your heating equipment to change from a boiler to a furnace (or vice versa) is typically expensive and disruptive to your daily life.
Heating oil systems are a popular choice for homeowners in northern New Jersey, especially during the harsh winter months. Here are five key benefits of using a heating oil system:
At Dixon Energy, we typically recommend that homeowners looking to improve their home heating performance upgrade to newer, more energy-efficient versions of their current system rather than switch to other fuels or energy sources. The reason is that conversions can be expensive, and the savings are often uncertain.
That said, we install and service heating systems powered by heating oil, propane, natural gas and electricity. We can discuss your needs, budget and current equipment to determine the best option to boost your winter comfort and save you money in the process.
Reach out to Dixon Energy today to receive a FREE consultation.