Choosing Between a Furnace and a Boiler

Need to update your home’s heating system? Choice isn’t the problem, that’s for sure! Today you can opt for a furnace or boiler installation in Ottawa, and your fuel source can be natural gas, propane, electricity or heating oil.

If you’re scratching your head at the gamut of options available to you, don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Let’s look at two factors to consider when determining which heating system and fuel is best for your home:

• Your existing system. If your boiler needs replacing but the rest of your home’s convectors and pipes are sound, then you would be throwing good money out the window switching away from your hydronic system. The same can be said if your furnace needs replacing but the rest of your home’s duct work is in good shape: why move away from a forced air furnace heating system? Simply replacing your boiler or furnace, as the case may be, with a high-efficiency modern model is most likely your best bet.
• Energy cost—financial and environmental. In Ontario, per unit of energy, natural gas is more cost-effective than electricity or heating oil, hence its popularity as a heating fuel. And though natural gas is a fossil fuel, it produces less CO2 than heating oil or propane when burned. But doesn’t electricity have the lowest carbon footprint of all? In most cases, yes, but did you know that 60% of Ontario’s electricity is produced in nuclear power plants? Electrical power loses a bit of its ecological sheen for many consumers in Ontario when they realize this.

Contact us at The Energy Centre if you are considering having a boiler or furnace installed in Ottawa. We’ll make sure you’re clear on all the pros and cons to help you make the most informed decision for your unique situation.

At The Energy Centre, we can also take care of all your furnace repair and duct cleaning needs in Ottawa. Contact us today!