| The home buying process can be complicated, | | | | temperatures and volume for safe and efficient |
| with many details to consider. Should you buy a | | | | operation. When the thermostat calls for heat, an |
| house with two stories or just one? Hardwood | | | | oil or gas burner is activated and begins to heat |
| floors or carpeting? Laminate countertops or | | | | up the water in the boiler. Depending on the |
| marble? When real estate markets are hot, and | | | | particular system, the circulator pump will either |
| energy costs are stable, buyers have had a | | | | activate to begin circulating the water throughout |
| history of only looking at the superficial elements | | | | the house when the thermostat calls for heat or |
| of the home, with few taking the time to really | | | | when the water reaches a pre-set temperature. |
| analyze the type of heating system that is in | | | | Most modern hot water boilers have an automatic |
| place. | | | | feed system. As the water is heated, it expands. |
| In times where home heating costs are on the | | | | The extra volume is forced into an expansion |
| rise, knowing what kind of heating system you | | | | tank, which helps prevent the build up of |
| are investing in can be a big deal. The home | | | | excessive pressure. A pressure relief valve is also |
| inspection report can let you know what type of | | | | required to ensure the boiler pressure does not |
| heating system is installed in the house, along with | | | | reach excessive levels. Boiler temperature and |
| the age and condition of the system. Knowing | | | | pressure can be observed on a gauge mounted |
| these details about the heating system can help | | | | on the unit. Under normal operating conditions |
| save you thousands in repair expenses, high | | | | temperatures will range from 160° to 220°F |
| heating bills or expensive system upgrades. | | | | (70-105°C), with water pressure in the 12-18 psi |
| Water-based heating systems have proven to be | | | | (pounds per square inch) range. Readings outside |
| a reliable source of quiet, even heating for many | | | | these parameters generally indicate that the unit |
| years. There are two basic types of water-based | | | | should be checked. |
| systems to consider: steam and hot water. While | | | | The original hot water systems operated by |
| these systems differ in their operation and | | | | gravity flow, with the heated water rising by |
| controls, they both utilize a boiler as the vessel to | | | | convection through the distribution system. This |
| heat the water and a piped distribution system | | | | type system also uses a manual feed valve and |
| connected to radiators (or convectors) to provide | | | | open expansion tank, usually installed in the attic |
| heat in the individual rooms of a house. The most | | | | or an upper closet. Gravity systems are rarely |
| common type fuels used with residential boilers | | | | found in their original state; most have been |
| are gas and oil. | | | | replaced or have been modernized. |
| Steam Heating Systems | | | | Weighing the Pros and Cons |
| In a steam boiler, water is heated in much the | | | | Steam and hot water systems have an economic |
| same way as it is in a whistling teapot. As water | | | | service life of approximately 20-25 years; many |
| in the partially filled teapot or boiler is heated to | | | | operate beyond that time frame. Regardless of |
| 212°F (100°C), it turns to steam while the | | | | the age or type system, annual servicing is |
| pressure within the system increases. In a teapot, | | | | recommended. One attractive feature of forced |
| the excessive pressure is vented through a hole | | | | hot water systems is the ability to break the |
| in the spout. In a steam heating system, the | | | | systems up into zones, allowing for the separate |
| steam rises under low pressure (less than 5 psi) | | | | control of the heating in the individual rooms or |
| through the pipes to the radiators. On each | | | | areas of the house. This is done by way of |
| radiator, an air vent opens as the steam | | | | multiple zone valves and one or more circulator |
| increases the air pressure within the radiator. | | | | pumps. |
| When the steam reaches the vent, it closes. As | | | | Another type distribution system occasionally |
| the heat of the radiator radiates to the room, the | | | | found with hot water boilers is referred to as a |
| steam eventually cools and condenses to water, | | | | radiant system. Plastic or metal pipes are installed |
| and, by gravity-flow returns to the boiler to be | | | | in the concrete floor slab or in tracks in a wood |
| reheated. | | | | floor system then covered with finished flooring. |
| All steam boilers require a pressure relief valve | | | | There are no radiators; the heat radiates from |
| and a low-water cut off. Most steam systems | | | | the floor as the concrete is heated. The |
| have a manual feed valve to allow for the periodic | | | | advantage of this type system is that it provides |
| addition of water to the system. A "sight" gauge | | | | uniform heating at the lowest or generally coldest |
| on the side of the boiler indicates the water level. | | | | point in the house. Disadvantages with radiant |
| Water normally needs to be added every few | | | | systems include difficulty in determining or locating |
| weeks in order to maintain the water level at the | | | | leaks and limitations on the type floor coverings |
| one half to two thirds full level. | | | | used. While carpeting can be used with radiant |
| A steam system should operate without any | | | | heat, heavy padding and/or carpeting can lower |
| excessive noise. If there is a "knocking" noise in | | | | system efficiency. |
| the system, it may indicate partially closed or | | | | Arming yourself with information about the types |
| malfunctioning valves or sagging pipes. Constant | | | | of home heating systems available can help you |
| discharging of the air or steam indicates a vent | | | | make a more informed decision about which |
| malfunction. | | | | home is right for you. The level of maintenance, |
| Hot-Water Heating Systems | | | | expense, and replacement timeline can have a |
| Modern forced hot-water heating systems utilize | | | | strong effect on your decision to purchase the |
| one or more pumps to quickly and quietly circulate | | | | home. Making sure that you know the details |
| the heated water through pipes to convectors (or | | | | before you buy can save you a lot of money and |
| radiators). This type system is a closed system, | | | | hassle over the long haul. |
| relying on the physical relationship of pressure, | | | | |