Boiler Repair Port Washington, WI

Gravity Hot Water Heating Systems

Gravity-based hot water heating systems are the oldest type of heating system in the world. In a gravity flow hot water furnace, the thermal and density differences between hot and cold water propel the water through the pipes.

In the gravity flow heating system, hot water is forced up. In contrast, cold water flows back to the boiler to be heated, continuing the circulation cycle.

The plumbing of a forced circulation heating system is very much the same as that of a gravity system. The main difference is that a pump supports circulation, making it more effective and more efficient. The heated water circulates more quickly and can produce a more uniform temperature throughout the house. It is also easier to control the temperature with this system.

Hot water baseboard heating, or hydronic heating, is also a type of radiant heat. Hot water baseboard heating is more technologically advanced, replacing the traditional radiator with a convection-based system.

Baseboard systems utilize the scientific principle that hot air rises and cold air sinks. Placing the heating source at the floor level ensures that the warm air introduced at the floor level rises, displacing the cold air as it goes.

Regular maintenance of your boiler heating system is essential to avoid significant problems and keep your furnace running smoothly. An annual furnace tune-up performed by a trained boiler repair service technician will highlight any existing and potential issues.

You can do some things to help maintain your hot water boiler furnace and improve its heating performance. Two essential tasks should always be completed in the autumn before the heating season begins.

At least once a year, the air vent valves should be opened to release the air that becomes trapped inside. Air rises through the water, so the system's highest points will collect most air pockets. Begin removing the air at the highest points and work your way down through the radiators since air will become trapped in all areas of the system.

Next, the water in the radiators should be drained out and replaced periodically. Minerals will build up in the radiator's pipes, especially if the circulating water is unfiltered. When minerals build up, they can limit the flow of water through the pipes, decreasing the furnace’s heating performance efficiency.