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Boiler

Boiler Service in Havre de Grace

Providing Boiler Repair and Replacement Services in Havre de Grace Since 2019

With a functioning boiler, it’s easy staying warm in Maryland’s winter months. But when your boiler acts up, a few blankets and a pair of slippers might not be enough to ward off the cold. With over 6 years of experience maintaining hydronic heating systems, Upper Bay Mechanical, Inc. has established itself as a trusted HVAC company in the Havre de Grace area. In that time, we’ve developed a true understanding of boiler systems and how to properly maintain, replace, and repair them.

Reach out to us at (443) 526-6197 to learn more about boiler service in Edgewood and Aberdeen.

How Do Boilers Work?

It can help by thinking of boilers as a particular kind of water heater. Unlike furnaces, which push warmth through the air, boilers distribute it via heated water pipes. Radiators are then used to dissipate the excess heat throughout your home. The cooler water is then returned to your boiler for reuse. The cycle continues until your home's ambient temperature matches the number on the thermostat.

The above process can vary slightly depending on the type of boiler involved. Steam boilers, much rarer in Havre de Grace than they used to be, heat the liquid past the point of boiling. Other boilers, meanwhile, rely on regular oil deliveries to stay in tip-top shape. Regardless of if your system is powered by oil, steam, natural gas, or electricity, our heating service personnel are here to ensure it functions reliably and efficiently.

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What to Look for in a Boiler Contractor

Your heating system is a major part of your home and one of the most expensive components to replace. That’s why it’s vital that you hire the right HVAC contractor to manage your boiler’s repair or replacement. Here in Havre de Grace, there are plenty of companies that offer boiler services. How do you choose the one that’s right for you? Here are six things to keep an eye out for:

  1. Current Insurance and Licensing: Make sure the HVAC company you hire is authorized to provide heating service in Maryland. Before signing anything, ask to see copies of their current certifications and licenses. You’ll also want to ask about the kind of bonding and insurance they carry. These things will protect you from any damage caused by the contractor or any accidents their employees suffer while working in your home.
  2. Referrals and Reviews: Before selecting an HVAC contractor in Havre de Grace, check out their online reputation. In addition to Google, check other platforms such as Facebook and Yelp. Taken together, these things should provide a decent overview of what to expect while working with this company.
  3. Expertise and Experience: You want a company with ample boiler experience. This will allow them to quickly pinpoint the issue and give advice you can only get from a true professional. Ask how the company ensures its technicians stay up-to-date on industry changes. Also confirm how much experience their boiler installation experts are required to have.
  4. Warranties and Guarantees: What happens if you’re unhappy with the work performed? Will the contractor back your newly-installed or replaced boiler with any kind of warranty? Not doing these things is a common cost-cutting measure in other companies. Rest assured, when you buy from Upper Bay Mechanical , that your satisfaction is guaranteed.
  5. Special Offers and Rebates: Buying a new boiler isn’t cheap, but many manufacturers offer discounts that your HVAC contractor can pass on to you. Before scheduling a quote for boiler replacement, you can check the national DSIRE database to find tax credits and other local programs in your area that may help you save. A good HVAC company, like ours, will help you file any required paperwork.

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Boiler Repair

Though boilers break down less often than conventional heating systems, they still need service on occasion. Electrical components come loose. Pilot lights flicker out. Save our number the next time you need to fix a problem with your heating system. You’ll soon learn why so many people in Havre de Grace trust us with their boiler repairs.

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Boiler Installation

One of the best ways to keep a house warm while also enjoying cleaner air and superior energy savings is with a boiler. When you move into a new home or are constructing one, consider having a boiler installed with a separate air conditioner instead of a forced–air system. Talk to our professionals to learn about the advantages of a boiler heating system.

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Boiler Maintenance

You must take regular care of a boiler system in order to enjoy the advantage of its long lifespan. Otherwise, you’re just sentencing it to an early grave. Our HVAC maintenance professionals will come to your house each fall to inspect, clean, and tune–up your boiler. To make this process automatic all you have to do is sign up for one of our maintenance plans.

Keep It Running

Call Upper Bay Mechanical, Inc. for Professional Boiler Service in Aberdeen and Havre de Grace

Upper Bay Mechanical sets ourselves apart from other local HVAC companies by always putting our customer first. We wholly dedicate ourselves to providing prompt and professional boiler service throughout the Havre de Grace area. We’re so confident in our ability to meet your needs, in fact, that we guarantee it. From protecting your property to quality workmanship, our HVAC experts hold themselves to high standards. So, the next time you need any kind of boiler repair or installation in Edgewood, we invite you to give (443) 526-6197 a call.

Boiler FAQs

How Often Does My Boiler Need Service?

We recommend having your boiler serviced on a yearly basis. This will ensure it operates at maximum efficiency through the cold times and into milder weather. By getting it regularly serviced, you can help yourself to avoid future boiler repairs. You can learn more about the benefits of HVAC maintenance in Havre de Grace and Aberdeen by reaching out to us by phone or through our website.

While this is an option, it’s not something any boiler can do. You’ll either pay extra for a combi boiler or add an indirect-fired water heater to your existing system. Doing so gives you many of the same benefits as a tankless water heater. That means limitless hot water, more usable space, and fewer systems to maintain. For more information on installing a combi in Havre de Grace, talk to our technician during your Havre de Grace boiler repair or replacement.

If your boiler is leaking, don’t panic. You can limit the damage by taking the following steps:

  1. Turn off the boiler’s power and shut the main water valve to prevent further damage
  2. Mop or lay down towels to soak up the water
  3. Try to find the source of the leak. Typically, it comes from the boiler tank, discharge tube, or drain valve
  4. Call Upper Bay Mechanical to schedule a boiler technician for repair

This depends on numerous factors. Very old boilers are typically very loud. While those made in the last 15 to 20 years, tend to be quieter than even the newest ones. This is because internal components in new systems, used to enhance efficiency, produce low levels of noise during use. Even if this additional sound is annoying, your new system’s lower operation cost will more than make up for it.

Our radiant heating experts service all brands of residential boilers. These brands include Lennox, Bosch, Weil-McLain, Lochinvar, Hydro-Therm, Crown, Navien, AO Smith, Buderus, Peerless, Westinghouse, and Triangle Tube.

There are a number of differences between furnaces and boilers. Which one is right for your home in Havre de Grace depends on your home’s size and existing features:

  • Heat Source: The biggest difference between a furnace and a boiler is how they transfer heat. The former relies on hot air and ducts to acclimate your home. Boilers, meanwhile, use radiators and hot water to accomplish the same task.
  • Fuel Sources: The two systems also use slightly different fuel sources. Boilers can use oil, wood pellets, natural gas, and electricity. Furnaces, meanwhile, are also compatible with propane but rarely oil and never pellets.
  • Type of Heat: Radiant heat from boilers rises from the ground upward, allowing it to spread more easily. The presence of water and lack of ducts also make the air more allergy-friendly and comfortable. On the other hand, furnaces are unlikely to freeze in cold environments.
  • Installation Cost: Though boilers last longer than furnaces (often 30 years or more), they are more expensive to install. The process is also much more complex than replacing a forced-air system. In terms of overall costs, a boiler is a much larger investment.
  • Energy Efficiency: The AFUE for boilers varies depending on the fuel source. But 80% is the bare minimum. Because water heats more readily than air, radiant systems are considered more efficient. The leakiness of ductwork also contributes to heat loss.
  • Risks: While both systems can leak carbon monoxide, boilers offer another means of disaster: leaks. If the tank is punctured or a pipe bursts, you can be left with thousands of dollars in damage. Preventing this is one reason yearly boiler maintenance in Havre de Grace is so important.

First, we’ll briefly explain what zoning is. This term is used to refer to the creation of individual heating areas in your home. This allows each one to be controlled via a separate thermostat. This makes your home more comfortable while eliminating hot and cold spots. While you can zone a hot water heating system, it’s not as simple as doing it on a forced air one. The technician will have to have both plumbing and zoning experience. You can expect to pay a minimum of $1500 for your first boiler zone in Havre de Grace.

Turning cold water into a source of home heating is a six-step process:

  1. The tank is filled with room temperature or cold water
  2. Gas, oil, or electricity is used to heat the water in the tank
  3. The hot water is pushed throughout the home once the unit reaches the desired temperature (or turns into steam).
  4. The water uses pipes and circles through your radiators
  5. Now cooled, the water or steam returns back to the tank
  6. Steps 1-5 are repeated until the desired temperature is reached

A properly installed boiler is a closed system. This means that while it doesn’t dry the air out, it will not add any humidity either. To achieve this, you can consider heating a pot of water on the stove in short bursts. Laying out water bowls near radiators can also lead to it evaporating into the air. Alternatively, a whole house humidifier in Havre de Grace could be a worthwhile investment.

While this depends on the temperature your home is set at, you should never directly touch a radiator. The risk of blistering and scalds is always present, especially for children. We recommend installing radiator covers to keep toddlers and pets from injuring themselves. Due to the fire risk, we don’t advise placing clothing or other items on radiators. For other safety questions, ask our Havre de Grace boiler specialist for more information.

As mentioned above, modern boilers are closed systems that don’t waste much water. While steam boilers lose a significant amount of water to steam, that issue is much less prevalent in condensing systems.

While changing fuel sources is possible—especially for oil or propane to natural gas—it’s often not economically feasible. Typically, this changeover runs somewhere north of $6,000. That means opting for a new boiler in Havre de Grace is often more cost-efficient. Feel free to call us to get a better idea if this option will work for you.

They both have tanks. Both use oil, natural gas, or electricity to heat water. In many ways, there are no operational differences between a boiler and a water heater. It’s their purpose that sets them apart. The latter primarily provides hot water for appliances, bathing, and cleaning. Boilers, meanwhile, increase a home’s ambient temperatures. Some boilers can do both. You can also add an indirect-fired water heater to your boiler for a similar outcome.

Go to where your home’s heating system is and look up. If you see several small pipes, you have a boiler. Furnaces, meanwhile, are hooked up to metal ductwork. Floor vents and wall units are also a sign of forced-air heating. A boiler primarily relies on radiators to spread its warmth.

They can not. A lack of innate cooling options is one of the significant disadvantages of radiant heating systems. If you want to add air conditioning to a home with a boiler in Havre de Grace, you have three options:

  • Installing a ductless mini-split system
  • Utilizing specialized aspirating or high-velocity systems
  • Putting in a heat pump
For a quote on adding AC to a home with a boiler call Upper Bay Mechanical, Inc. at (443) 526-6197. We’ll help you take the bite out of the summer heat.

When considering a new boiler, you'll likely to run into the word ‘condensing.’ Many homeowners in Havre de Grace aren’t exactly sure what that is. How is it different from a regular hot water heating system? In short, a condensing boiler is designed with efficiency in mind. Any produced water vapor is vacated through the chimney in a standard boiler. The more modern condensing units take the heat from the produced steam to shift it back to liquid form.

A standard boiler in Havre de Grace is comprised of 11 different pieces:

  • Aquastats: These monitor the temperature of the water inside the boil. It’s their responsibility to maintain consistent temperatures in the system.
  • Backflow Valves: This valve ensures water only flows in one direction. This prevents contaminants from entering your system and improves boiler safety.
  • Combustion Chamber: As the name implies, this is the area where gas, kerosene, or electricity turns into heat. This heats up the heat exchanger inside the tank.
  • Feed Pump: This part supplies the boiler with water. When levels dip, it’s the feed pump’s responsibility to restore them to proper levels.
  • The Burner: Oxygen and fuel (or electricity) must be mixed before combustion. This happens at the burner. Your thermostat signals this part to start and cease operation.
  • Heat Exchanger: This part is considered the heart of most heating systems. In a boiler, it transfers heat from the combustion chamber to the water in the tank. It's designed to keep temperatures high without allowing the water to boil. The constant high temperatures often lead to a cracked heat exchanger. The carbon monoxide risks lead to the condemnation of your unit.
  • Safety Valve: When excess pressure is detected, this valve releases it. If not regularly checked, the pressure could grow to the point of explosion. This is one of the items paid particular attention to during an Havre de Grace boiler tune-up.
  • Economizer: Many modern boilers have economizers to improve efficiency. This part recovers heat from water vapor before it leaves the chimney, reducing overall waste.
  • Circulator Pump: You’ve got all this heated water in a tank. It’s the circulator pump’s function to push it from the boiler to the radiators. It’s also responsible for maintaining even water flow.
  • Expansion Tank: Water expands when it’s heated. The expansion tank holds this excess heat and pressure. Without this vital piece, the risk of a pressure failure would be a lot higher.
  • Control System: Think of this as the brains of your boiler. It monitors pressure and temperature and orchestrates pump and burner operations.

It should be noted, however, that many of these parts could be responsible for a sudden loss of heat. The only way to truly identify the issue is to contact an Havre de Grace radiant heating specialist.