Your boiler is the central unit in your home's hydronic heating system, so when it's on the blink, you can expect a loss of indoor comfort throughout your entire home. If you're having problems getting enough heat, the following steps can help you narrow down what the problem might be before calling in the HVAC experts.

Boilers are a common way to heat homes in Massachusetts, but an old, inefficient boiler can be a real fuel hog. Upgrading a boiler at the right time can save you a ton of money with lower energy costs in the future.

As you prepare for starting up a boiler after summer, you may wonder if there are any special steps to take. Keeping your Massachusetts home comfortable this winter is a matter of preparing your boiler for a long, cold season.

As cooler months approach, many homeowners will begin to turn on their boiler to provide heat.

Boilers operate by heating either steam or water. Steam boilers need a higher temperature of operation than water boilers, making them inherently less efficient. However, both types of boilers are available in higher efficiency models that help save both energy and money.

A conventional cast iron, hot water boiler has long been a reliable choice for heating homes, apartments and offices. Most boiler last between 25 and 30 years, or even longer, as long as maintenance of the system is performed. The boiler itself can produce reliable and comfortable heat for many years.

If you have an older boiler – even though it still may be working well – much of your fuel may be going out the chimney or flue. Older boilers (especially those converted from coal to oil or gas) are often quite inefficient. However, modern boiler efficiency is at an all-time high, with newer models having efficiencies that go upwards of 90 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). Homeowners who choose high AFUE-rated boilers will see significant energy savings.

You generally don't give much thought to your boiler system. It's supposed to work and as long as it does it's barely noticeable. When you experience a boiler breakdown, however, it can make for a miserable existence until the unit gets fixed.