What’s the Difference Between a Boiler and a Furnace?

Your old heating system has finally kicked the bucket, and now you need to shop for a new one before winter arrives in Tolleson. You narrow down your options to either a furnace or a boiler but don’t know the best one for your home.

What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace? Find a detailed heating appliance comparison below, then call us for heating services in Tolleson, AZ.

What Is the Difference Between a Boiler and a Furnace?

Boilers and furnaces both heat your home, but the similarities end there. Let’s review how these systems stack up in heating ability, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements.

Furnace vs. Boiler Heating: How These Systems Heat Your Tolleson, AZ, Home

Furnaces are forced-air systems that use ducts and vents to heat your home. Fans pull air into the furnace, which then blows across a heat exchanger. Once the air warms, the system distributes it around your home. Furnaces can run on electricity, gas, oil, or propane.

Boilers are hydronic systems that use water to heat your home. After heating the water, it distributes it to radiators or an underfloor heating system. Some boilers provide both central heating and hot water. Like furnaces, boilers can run on electricity, oil, or natural gas.

What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace? Because boilers use radiant heat instead of forced air, they can make your home feel more comfortable. However, boilers do take longer to heat up compared to furnaces.

Hydronic vs. Forced Air Heating Energy Efficiency

When purchasing a heating system, it’s important to pay attention to its energy efficiency. This impacts how efficiently it heats your home and the cost of your monthly energy bills.

These heating system differences affect efficiency. Because boilers rely on water to provide heating, they’re generally more efficient than furnaces. That’s because water loses less heat than air does. So, while boilers typically cost more than furnaces upfront, you can come out ahead thanks to the monthly energy savings you’ll enjoy.

That’s not to say that furnaces can’t be efficient, too. Modern gas furnaces, for example, boast an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of more than 90%, which means they use 90% of the gas supplied to heat your Tolleson home.

Boiler vs. Furnace: Maintenance Requirements

What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace when it comes to maintenance? Both types of systems will require maintenance to keep them in good shape, but boilers require less than furnaces.

If you choose a furnace, you’ll have to change the air filter regularly. It can clog with pet hair, dirt, and other debris that impacts its performance. Comparatively, boilers don’t use air to heat your home, so they have no filter to change.

Regardless of which system you choose, it’s always a good idea to schedule maintenance at least once a year.

Hydronic vs. Forced-Air Heating: Which Should You Choose?

If you’re still struggling to choose between these two residential heating systems, that’s understandable. Both furnaces and boilers have a lot of good qualities, so the decision isn’t an easy one.

Furnaces are best for homeowners who need quick heating because boilers heat spaces more slowly. And if the upfront cost is a concern, you’ll want to go with a furnace. These systems tend to be quite a bit cheaper than boilers.

If you’re more concerned about monthly operating costs, you might choose a boiler. These systems are usually cheaper to run than furnaces. Does anyone in your house have allergies or asthma? A boiler is a good pick. Unlike furnaces, they don’t distribute dust and dander through your home’s air, which means fewer sneezes and sniffles.

The deciding factor might come down to the available space in your home. Boilers can require a lot of space, especially if you need an additional hot water tank. Furnaces are smaller, giving you more flexibility in where you can install them.