We all heat our homes, but not everyone uses a furnace. Furnaces are forced-air systems that require ductwork—something that’s not available in every home, especially older or historic houses. In these cases, as well as for some new or renovated homes, boilers and heat pumps are great alternatives for efficient heat.
While initial boiler costs and installation are, on average, more expensive than that of a furnace, a boiler pays for itself with energy savings in the first few years, and monthly operating costs are much lower. Boilers are very energy efficient and, because they don’t use air to deliver heat, greatly reduce the circulation of dust particles and other pollutants in a home for better air quality. Boilers often last longer than furnaces and require very little maintenance.