High Efficiency Boiler
Residential boilers produce hot water or steam, which is distributed in pipes throughout the house to radiators, fan coils, baseboard convection units or radiant loops to provide space heating. Residential boilers – rated to produce between 40,000 and 300,000 BTUs per hour – can also provide domestic hot water. Why should I replace my existing residential boiler with an ENERGY STAR model?Older residential boilers can have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of as little as 60 per cent, meaning 40 per cent of the burned fuel is wasted. By contrast, ENERGY STAR boilers must have an AFUE rating of at least 85 per cent, and some achieve a rating of 97 per cent. Thus, switching to an ENERGY STAR boiler can cut your heating bill by up to 35 per cent.Why shouldn’t I just buy a standard boiler?All of today’s new boilers must have an AFUE rating of 80 per cent or more. So if you buy a boiler that doesn’t meet ENERGY STAR criteria (85-97 per cent efficient), your gas or space heating costs could be five to 15 per cent higher, plus you won’t be eligible for a rebate.What are the specific advantages of these new boilers?Because boilers store more heat internally than furnaces, they can incur greater heat losses, through their sides and up the chimney, when they are not being fired. Besides being more compact, modern boilers have improved insulation and offer the option of being vented out a side wall instead of through a chimney. They also boast such improvements as solid state controls, improved combustion technologies and electronic ignition, which eliminates the need for a continually burning pilot light. As well, they have sealed combustion, using outside air to fuel the burn and thus reducing drafts and the risk of carbon monoxide leaks.What options are available in today’s residential boilers?Boilers can have a range of heat exchangers (iron, steel or copper) and venting systems. Condensing gas-fired boilers are generally the most efficient, extracting heat from the condensing flue gas.How do I go about buying the right replacement boiler?It’s a good idea to get quotes and references from at least two reputable contractors. Check the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of Canada website for a listing of local contractors qualified to install high-efficiency boilers. Ask prospective contractors to calculate your home’s heat load, so as to properly size the boiler to your heating needs. Natural Resources Canada has an online calculator for coming up with a list of available manufacturer models. Click here for the gas boiler calculator or click here for the oil boiler calculator. |
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