As unforgiving as the winters are in the Twin Cities area, it takes a powerful heating system to keep your home warm and safe. Boilers are a great choice for many homes, but they can be complex, costly to install, and harder to keep running properly.
If you are looking for another option, a forced-air furnace may be a good choice.
Can a Boiler Be Replaced With a Furnace?
A boiler uses gas, oil, or electricity to heat water, and the resulting hot water or steam is used to distribute heat throughout the home using radiators, baseboard heaters, or in-floor radiant heating systems.
Furnaces use gas, oil, or electricity to heat air that passes through a heat exchanger, and that heated air is distributed throughout the home using a system of air ducts.
A boiler can be replaced by a furnace in most homes, but it will take significant amounts of work. The boiler, radiators, pumps, and piping would all need to be removed or disabled, and a furnace would need to be installed, along with ductwork and vents.
The gas and electrical connections could be reused in many cases, and possibly the flue.
Is Replacing the Boiler Worth It?
Replacing your boiler with a furnace will require plenty of time and effort, but it can be worth the effort. Furnaces are less expensive to buy and install, simpler to maintain, and tend to be more reliable and efficient.
If the radiators, piping, and other boiler system components are also in poor condition, upgrading to a furnace can make even more sense financially.
The Efficiency of Boilers & Furnaces
Modern boilers and furnaces are quite efficient, with models starting at 80% AFUE and ranging up to 98% or above. This means between 80% and 98% of the fuel is converted directly into heat for your home.
High-efficiency furnaces tend to be less expensive than equivalent boilers, so you get better results for your investment by choosing a furnace.
Boiler & Furnace Maintenance Requirements
Boilers need to be serviced at least once a year and require more maintenance than a typical furnace. The burners must be cleaned, the flue should be inspected, and the boiler should be drained, flushed, and refilled to remove sediment and scale.
The radiators must be inspected and balanced, and excess air must be bled from the system. Pipes need to be checked for leaks, circulation pumps need to be tested, and much more.
Furnaces are much simpler to maintain. Essentially, they use a fan to blow air over a hot heat exchanger.
To keep a furnace in good condition, the air filter should be replaced frequently, the burners should be cleaned, the flue inspected, and the blower assembly should be cleaned. Any moving parts should be lubricated, and all electrical connections and controls should be inspected.
The Benefits of Upgrading to a Furnace
By replacing your old boiler with a modern, efficient furnace, you can enjoy:
- Reduced complexity and costs
- Easier maintenance and repairs
- Higher efficiency at a lower price
- Faster heat distribution
- Reduced chance of leaks and water damage
- No need to check water levels or purge air from the system
Furnace Installations in Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
When you need an expert to upgrade your Twin Cities home from a boiler to a furnace, turn to our team at HomeWorks. We can help you decide if a furnace is the best option for your home, and we can provide a professional furnace installation if you decide to make the switch.
Our company offers free estimates on new furnace or boiler installations, as well as upfront pricing, great financing options to make the upgrade easy, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you know the job is done correctly.
Call (651) 237-2698 or contact us online to schedule your furnace installation or boiler replacement today.