Boiler Radiator Systems
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

Boilers and radiators may not be used as commonly these days, especially with newer homes, but they are in fact an efficient, reliable, long lasting heating system. They provide a quiet, consistent, clean source of heat. Also, they require very little maintenance.

Steam heating systems operate in a very unique fashion. A gas or oil-fired burner is responsible for heating water and turning it into steam. This steam is then passed through a series of pipes, eventually escaping through a radiator or convector. At this point, rooms are warmed by the heat given off by the steam. Once the steam cools off and condenses itself, the water returns to the boiler to be heated all over again.

Once fired up, a boiler and radiator heating system can heat an average room a great deal faster than a comparable heating system. Also, many homeowners enjoy the fact that if they are not sure of when they will be coming and going from home, or if they like to heat one or two rooms separately, radiators offer excellent responsiveness. In addition, they will definitely be far less expensive to install.

Unfortunately, radiators aren’t the most attractive element of a room. It is important, however, not to cover your radiator in hopes of hiding its appearance. This can significantly reduce the amount of heat that reaches the room.

Last but not least, boiler systems do require a small amount of maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. Safety valves and the pressure and water level gauges should be checked regularly to ensure proper operation. Boilers can be extremely dangerous, often leading to scalding and steam burns, so it is suggested that a professional do the dirty work.

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