Georgia Homeowners: Boiler Vs. Furnace For Home Heating

Has your heating unit seen better days? If the heating system in your Georgia home requires continuous maintenance, it may be time to replace it.

A boiler or furnace is the best way to heat your home. But how do you decide which system is the most efficient and cost effective? Here’s a breakdown of the differences between hot water boilers and forced air furnaces.

Hot Water Boilers

Boilers don’t just provide hot water for your family. They can also be used to heat your home. Hot water is circulated through a system of pipes and radiators producing heat that radiates throughout your home to heat baseboards, floors, and walls.

Different boiler models use a specific energy source such as electricity, gas, or oil to heat water. Electricity is the most affordable option, followed by gas. Oil boilers are more energy efficient but also more expensive.

Types of boilers

If you want to install a boiler to heat your home, there are different categories and types of systems to choose from:

• Standard – Using one tank to store cold water and another to hold heated water, a conventional boiler can quickly heat up your house.
• Sealed system – A sealed boiler is ideal for homes that are 1000 to 2500 square feet in size. Water is stored and heated in one cylinder so there’s no need for a separate water tank.
• Hydronic boilers – Water is heated with hydronic coils and then is pushed through a sealed piping system of radiators throughout your home. Hydronic boilers are a comfortable and quiet way to heat.
• Radiator boilers – Many older homes still use radiators that are heated with hot water or steam. These boiler heaters are low-maintenance and reliable and can efficiently heat a room.

Cost and installation

Depending on the type of boiler you choose, cost to purchase will range from $3,500 to as high as $10,000 for a top-quality model. The average cost to install a boiler heater is anywhere from $3,500 to $8,000.

Annual cost to operate

The cost to operate a boiler will depend on the fuel source you’re using:

• Electricity - $500
• Natural gas - $240
• Oil - $500

Maintenance

Don’t forget to factor in maintenance costs when updating your heating system. The average cost of minor repairs is $100 to $360.

To heat your home more efficiently contact a HomeAdvisor contractor in Georgia.

Furnace - Forced Air Heating

A furnace heating system uses an exchanger to heat air and then distribute this air throughout ducts using a fan. Using slatted registers in each room, you can adjust the temperature to your level of comfort.

Types of furnaces

As with boiler systems, you have a few options when it comes to furnace types:

• Gas furnace – Comfortable and safe to run, gas furnaces are an efficient way to heat your home. Using natural gas from an underground pipeline in your neighborhood, this type of heating is affordable and reliable.
• Electric furnace – Electricity is used to heat air, which is then pumped into your home through a venting system.
• Diesel and propane oil – Both diesel and propane furnaces use fuel tanks that need to be refilled. Air is heated by a pilot light and then forced through the heating vents using a fan.

Cost and installation

The buying cost of a forced air furnace will depend on the type of model you choose. Expect to pay an average of $700 to $2,000. Installation of the furnace will range anywhere from $700 for an electric furnace to $1,200 for a gas model.

Annual cost to operate

The yearly cost to run a furnace will vary depending on the energy source:

• Natural gas - $850
• Electricity - $900
• Propane fuel - $1,550
• Oil - $820

Maintenance

As with any appliance in your home, you’ll need to budget for maintenance and repairs. The average cost for each repair is from anywhere from $60 to $280.

Need more information about heating your home with a boiler or furnace system? Call a HomeAdvisor heating and cooler contractor in Georgia.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.