Lauren Williamson
There’s no denying that the home heating system is one of the largest investments that most families make to ensure the comfort of the entire family stays intact. Therefore, when planning to choose a boiler system for you and your family’s needs, you have to extremely cautious regarding the features you need and the quality of the product. It should be noted that the systems of today are much more efficient and reliable than they have been ever before.
There are quite several factors that should be considered when planning to choose a boiler. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first one or you’re looking for a replacement for your older one – because these factors will always determine the operation and efficiency of the electric boilers.
The Major Factors To Consider When Choosing A Boiler System
1. The Type Of Fuel Or Energy Source It Uses
While generally, boiler systems are mainly run by oil or gas, there is also a new crop of systems which run on electricity as well. Since natural gas is one of the most popular sources of fuel, you can expect that gas-run boiler systems to be more common. In some parts of the world where natural gas is not readily available or extremely costly, homeowners typically use LPG gas or propane to power up their boiler systems.
Before you plan to choose your boiler system, you should be well-acquainted with the source of fuel it uses for its operation. In case you’re not accustomed to using gas or oil, then it’s always a better choice to opt for electric boiler systems and vice-versa.
2. The Overall Efficiency Of The System
When trying to choose between different boiler systems, it should be remembered that efficiency should be one of your top priorities. If your system is more efficient, then it will consume less energy or fuel to be operated – which will ultimately lead to lower overall costs in the long-run.
The current standard heating ratings for efficiency is AFUE and HSPF. AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilisation Efficiency, while on the other hand, HSPF stands for Heating Season Performance Factor. Each of these ratings has their significance.
HSPF ratings are used for boiler systems that are electrically powered. In the same way, AFUE ratings are used for boiler systems using propane, natural gas and fuel oil.
3. The Total Or Final Cost
When you’ll be comparing the cost of each boiler system type, it’s always recommended to not just include the initial cost but also the overall long-term cost for the same.
This long-term cost include repairs and maintenance costs. The label of the Energy Guide will help you know the actual estimated energy costs for each system you compare.
