A Denver CO steam boiler is one of two hydronic heating systems you can install to heat your home. Like with the hot-water system, it uses a series of pipework to spread the heat throughout your home. You often find steam boilers in older homes, although new-age boilers are also highly efficient in warming your house.
You can find either boiler or furnace systems in most homes in the U.S. In general, boiler systems are more comfortable and efficient than furnace heating systems. That’s because they don’t push hot air around through blowers, which make the inside of your home drier or draftier. And they take less energy to operate, which doesn’t strain your monthly energy bill too much.
If you’re thinking about installing or replacing your boiler system, you should know there are two different kinds: steam and hot water. Both hot water and steam systems have a water heating step; however, what spreads through the pipes are different. As you can tell by the names, hot-water systems circulate heated water through the pipes, while steam systems spread hot steam instead. If you need help with your boiler replacement or repairs, Torreys Peak Mechanical can handle it for you.
How a Denver CO Steam Boiler Works in Comparison to a Hot-Water Boiler
For the most part, steam boilers work the same way that hot-water boilers do, although the most noticeable difference is what ends up flowing through the pipes. Both systems start with the boiler, which heats the water. Hot-water boilers get the water to a certain temperature before the system continues with the next step. However, steam boilers will heat the water until it turns into steam.
Because they serve slightly different purposes, the boilers for both systems also look different. Water boilers tend to be slimmer wall units or a baseboard convector. On the other hand, steam boilers are chunkier and are usually large, cast-iron cases.
Once the boiler heats up enough, the hot water or steam will flow through the supply pipes in your home. These pipes will deliver the water or steam to the heat transfer points throughout your house. These transfer points can be radiators, radiant flooring, or baseboards.
Both hot water and steam boilers also have a way in which the used water returns to the beginning of the system. Although the water in hot-water systems flows through the pipes to go back to the boiler, steam systems go through an extra step in the process. When the steam rises to heat the room via air convection, it causes the steam to condense and turn back into water, which then flows back to the boiler.
Since steam boilers take a few more steps to achieve the same results as a hot-water boiler, they tend to be less efficient. You can find them more often in older homes. However, with the current technological advancements, you’ll find high efficient steam boilers that can stand toe-to-toe with your typical hot-water boilers.
Installing a new Steam Boiler System
So, when is it time for you to install or upgrade to a new steam boiler? As your heating system gets older, you’ll notice more signs that it’s gradually wearing and breaking down. Before it completely stops working, you can start considering your next choices.
As your boiler system ages, it becomes less efficient. Once you notice there’s a spike in your energy bill, or it’s not warming your house up as well anymore, there’s probably an issue with it. If a simple repair can bring it back up to par, it’s probably a temporary issue. However, if the issue persists, it’s probably time to start searching for a new boiler.
Older boilers require more care than newer ones. Although repairs are generally less expensive than buying a new one, that may change when you start noticing your boiler needs repairs more frequently than before. Issues that pop up one after the other more often may be the first sign of your boiler completely breaking down. At that point, you should start considering your next boiler options.
Maintaining a Denver Steam Boiler
Like other heating systems, a Denver CO steam boiler can last at least 15 years. With proper maintenance and care, it can last up to 30 years. However, boilers, in general, need a greater amount of checkups than your typical furnace system.
You need to check steam boilers at least once a week to ensure it’s at the proper water level. Too much water and the boiler will be wasting energy, while not enough water can weaken parts of the boiler due to overheating. Not to mention, a sudden drop in water level may mean there are leaks or valve issues somewhere.
With steam boilers, you also have to regularly flush out some water. Doing so will allow you to remove any sediment build-up and prevent issues with the low-water safety valves. All you need to do is empty about a bucket of water and replace it with fresh water. Doing this once a week can keep your boiler in the right state.
And you should call for a professional before the beginning of the wintery season, so they can ensure that nothing’s wrong with it. If you need to make any repairs, they’ll also be able to handle it. Torreys Peak Mechanical’s technicians have the experience and expertise to do that for you. So, if you need some repairs or basic maintenance, call us today.
Contact Us
Whether you have a boiler or another HVAC system, Torreys Peak Mechanical is your go-to company for repairs and installations. Our technicians have decades of experience to help you handle all kinds of heating systems. From furnaces to steam boilers, we can handle the process for you if you need help with installation or boiler repairs.
Call us or visit our location today to learn more about what we can do to help with your heating system. Whether you’re looking to repair your Denver CO steam boiler or upgrade to something else, we’re here to help you.
Denver, Colorado Fun Facts:
- Between 1880 and 1895, Denver experienced a period of turmoil due to corruption.
- However, despite that, the city grew and became the 2nd largest city west of Omaha, Nebraska by 1890.
- In 1887, local religious leaders raised funds to help the city’s poor, which became the precursor to the international charity United Way.
- For more fun facts, visit the city’s official page.