Your boiler can account for a significant percentage of your total Cincinnati household energy costs, so it makes sense that you would want this particular piece of home comfort equipment to operate efficiently. New heating technologies have substantially increased the energy efficiency of these systems, so it may be time for you to consider an upgrade.

The primary feature to consider when purchasing a new boiler is its AFUE rating. A product's AFUE, or annual fuel utilization efficiency, indicates how much of the fuel consumed is converted to heat. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system is. 

Another feature to look for is condensing capability. A condensing boiler creates even more energy efficiency by using the heat generated from the condensation that is produced as a byproduct of combustion. This increased efficiency generally means the the equipment is more expensive to purchase, but the monthly energy savings may more than make up for the initial expense. The sealed combustion chamber that comes with a condensing unit not only helps to improve efficiency, it is also a safer solution to other combustion methods.

If you want to see how much money you can save by upgrading your heating system, review this Energy Star chart that indicates the annual estimated savings you will get from upgrading to high-efficiency equipment. For example, if you upgrade from equipment with an AFUE of 60 percent to a unit with an AFUE of 80 percent, you can save a significant amount of money on annual heating costs.

No matter what efficiency level you decide on, it is important to have your new equipment properly sized by a professional contractor. Units that are too large for your home will not operate as efficiently, and units that are too small may not provide enough heating power in colder temperatures.

If you are considering purchasing a new boiler, or if you just want to optimize your existing system, contact the professionals at Tri-County Heating & Cooling. We'll help you select the proper size and provide expert installation.

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