WINNIPEG BOILERS
Boiler Repair in Winnipeg
Winter in Winnipeg MB is long and cold. You spend untold dollars heating your home each year, and that money can add up quickly. When you’re heating your home with a boiler that’s inefficient or in need of boiler repairs, your money is boiling away, too. Here at Howell Mechanical Co., we have experience in residential boiler repairs and replacement in Winnipeg MB.
Think leaking energy in your home is trouble? Imagine an inefficient boiler heating up a whole apartment complex or a large commercial facility. That’s why we pride ourselves with the knowledge of a commercial boiler heating system. Whether you’re looking for a new energy efficient system, or a repair to your old system, give us a call - we’ve got commercial boilers in Winnipeg covered.
Types of Boilers
There are many different types available on the market in Winnipeg and we’ll help you find the right one for your home or business. To better understand the process, it’s important to have some knowledge of the different kinds of boiler heating systems available.
First, let’s take a look at how Their are sized. You can group them into three different categories: oversized, undersized, and correctly sized. The sizes of these boilers are an indicator of how efficiently they’ll heat your home. An Oversized one produces too much heat, which can lead to an increase in energy costs and maintenance costs. An undersized, conversely, won’t produce enough heat.
Some professionals or experts would intentionally install an oversized boiler - better too much heat than too little, they reasoned. Today, that’s completely unacceptable. We can calculate heat loss with incredible accuracy, accounting for insulation, space, and outdoor temperature, and we can do this for commercial and residential boilers in Winnipeg. That means your system will always be perfectly rated for the space you’re heating. If you have an old one, this might not be the case!
A boiler can be constructed from a number of different materials, including cast iron and steel. Some don’t actually boil water, but heat water which is sent through pipes. Others do boil water, and use the resulting steam to heat the building. There are some that can serve double-duty, heating both the building they serve and acting as hot water supplies. Your boiler might be gas-fired, oil-fired, or electric. Exactly which will be right for you depends heavily on your budget, how you intend to use the boiler, and your existing HVAC infrastructure. No matter what your situation is, we’re certain to have the right boiler to suit your needs.
Commercial Services vs. Residential Services
The primary difference between residential and commercial boilers is in how much heat they produce. This means that some are adequate for both residential and commercial use, as long as the residence is quite big or the commercial space is relatively small.
One of the differences between commercial and residential spaces is the amount of space that might be allotted to the boiler and the rest of the heating system. Commercial spaces tend to have more room, which means they might have more space for a larger system. Additionally, commercial spaces will typically have more room for pipes (for water-based), while residential spaces might trend more towards steam boilers.
Boilers are rated by MBTUs/h (Thousand British Thermal Units/hour) and AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The more MBTUs/h a unit can produce, the more quickly that unit can heat a given space. AFUE tells you how efficiently a unit turns fuel into heat. Most energy efficient units today have an AFUE of 95% or higher, which means only 5% or less of your fuel is wasted. Compare that to older models with AFUEs of 70% or less - you’re saving a lot of money for your home or business when you upgrade. While the MBTUs/h will be higher for most commercial applications, the AFUE should be the same for residential or commercial use - 95% or better.
Common Boiler Problems - Repair or Replace?
Deciding whether or not to repair with experts or replace yours will depend on a number of factors. Ones that are rather old or improperly sized should generally be replaced, while new model boilers that haven’t seen a lot of wear should be repaired. There are a number of signs you might have boiler service problems but whether you’re using a steam boiler or a new hydronic setup, our experts can perform boiler repairs.
- No heat: Could be the thermostat is set too low (which you can fix yourself), but it could be broken parts or too little water.
- Strange sounds: Could be the result of air in the system, pressure problems, or parts that are about to fail.
- Leaking: The seal might be worn out, you might have a leak in a pipe, or there could be problems with internal parts.
- keeps turning off: Improper sizing, a valve could be partially closed, or your pump might not be circulating water properly.
These are just a few of the many problems you might have with your boiler. When you choose the experts at Howell Mechanical Co. here in Winnipeg, we’ll take the time to find the root of the problem, then help you decide whether repair or replacement is your best option. Don’t be kept out in the cold in the winter - give us a call.
