People my age and maybe a little older love to say things like, “Ah they just don’t make things like they used to.” Usually what they’re really saying is things in the old days were a lot heavier. They were larger, and well more substantial. That may be true, but it doesn’t always mean those old dinosaurs were better than modern products. A good example is the modern high-efficiency boilers used to heat your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home, and in many cases also provide hot water.
Let’s talk boilers
Many of us grew up with cast iron boilers that were heavy and, for lack of a better term, massive. Let’s be very clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with cast iron boilers as many are still in service. But in recent years Climate Control Company has seen stainless steel become a popular choice in the heating industry. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages offered by stainless steel boilers:
Resistance to corrosion & oxidation
Most people know stainless steel is an alloy. One of the key ingredients is chromium which gives the metal its corrosion-resistant properties. This means it doesn’t chemically react to contaminants that may be in the water.
Metallic properties
Because stainless steel is very strong, the thickness of the metal walls of a boiler can be reduced. This means a better strength to weight ratio. Cast iron is brittle but stainless steel can be bent, welded, machined, and fabricated. This allows for many different design configurations for custom applications.
Greater efficiency
The most efficient boilers are what’s called condensing boilers, but they can’t be manufactured using cast iron. Condensing boilers produce highly acidic condensate or moisture. Stainless steel can resist corrosion even under those demanding conditions, but the acid will quickly damage cast iron.
Climate Control offers a full line of boilers. Just call if you want to know more about the advantages of stainless steel and whether a new boiler is the right choice for your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home or business.
Don’t ignore any boiler
As we head into the cold weather don’t forget boilers, cast iron and stainless steel, are the heart of radiant heating systems. Whether it’s for home heating or melting the snow and ice on your driveway, all boilers require routine maintenance to avoid breakdowns. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more great heating and cooling information.
