The largest choice may not always be the best one, especially when choosing a new boiler. Just as in the case of HVAC systems, an improperly sized boiler can be a waste of money and a waste of the boiler’s lifespan. If you want to get the most out of your boiler, then consider why it needs to be sized correctly for your Baltimore, Maryland home.
Why Does Boiler Size Matter?
So why shouldn’t you heat your home with the largest boiler around? Because a boiler’s capacity should reflect the size of the home. Boiler capacity is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), which represent the energy necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
A building’s BTU requirement varies depending on its geographical location, the surrounding climate, the quality and amount of insulation in the building’s walls and ceilings, and the number of doors and windows. The larger the home, the more windows and doors, and the colder the climate, the higher the BTU requirement will be. For example, in most cold climates, an efficient boiler operates with a requirement of 50 BTU per square foot of interior space.
Boiler Size and Efficiency
Why not install a large boiler and have a more powerful, hotter system? If you want an energy-efficient winter, you’ll avoid such a choice. An oversized boiler, unfortunately, wastes fuel, which (in turn) wastes your money and also reduces the lifespan of the boiler. If you install an oversized system, you’ll be paying for a brand new one after a shorter span of time than if you’d installed a boiler that was properly sized for your home.
A properly sized boiler can be trusted to provide you with comfortable, low-cost heating. To find out what size boiler will work best in your home, call Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391.
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