Whether you need a new heating system installed from scratch in your home, or you want to make sure that your old system is replaced with a new, appropriately sized model, you may want to consider a boiler. The boiler is one of the most widely used heating systems around, and it’s not hard to see why. It can provide your home with plenty of comfort during the cold season, it is energy efficient, and it doesn’t dry out your air.

Here are three reasons why you may want to consider a boiler as your next heating system.

1. Radiant heat. The boiler is the central component of any hydronic heating system. Gas and electric furnaces, heat pumps and ductless mini splits are all forced-air heating systems, which means that they heat your indoor air directly, and thus require the use of air ducts (or, in the case of the ductless mini split, various blowers installed directly in the living space). In contrast, a radiant heat system heats objects and surfaces directly. This type of system uses either baseboard copper piping or radiators, or a combination thereof.
2. Energy efficiency. As we all know, hot air rises. That’s one of the reasons that forced-heating systems can be detrimental at times, particularly for homes with high ceilings. When all of your heated air goes straight towards the ceiling or roofline, your feet can get cold pretty quickly. Radiant heat evades this issue by heating surfaces directly. The result is outstanding energy efficiency and for many, a more even and comfortable heating experience.
3. Indoor air quality. Another unfortunate consequence of many heating systems that utilize ductwork is that your indoor air becomes incredibly dry during the winter months. Moreover, ductwork can harbor all sorts of dust, dander and other debris. A boiler again evades this issue entirely.

No matter what type of heating system you choose, it’s essential that you hire a professional to take care of its installation as well as any follow-up repair or maintenance.