Heating

Heating: Furnace, Boiler and Heat Pump

Heating is not only one of our core competencies, it’s in our name!
Denommee Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has been providing expert heating system installation and service—for nearly every type of heating system—to our customers across Massachusetts and New Hampshire for over 20 years.  We are big believers in education—the more you know the further you will go— for our technicians and for our customers alike. Understanding the basics can help you to make informed decisions about your own heating system and be better equipped to provide us with correct information to help us get you the exact help you need when you need it. To that end, we offer this quick primer on central heating systems.  

Nearly all households depend on a central heating system to provide warmth. In a nutshell, the two primary systems are furnaces and boilers. Furnaces heat air, while boilers heat water. Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs, repairs and services all brands of forced air furnaces, boilers and heat pump systems throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. 

Base Components

Central heating systems are comprised of three basic components; the heat source, the heat distribution system and the control system. If your heating system is not working properly, one of these basic components is likely the source of the problem.

Heating: Source, Distribution and Control

Heat Distribution

Heat distribution systems typically can be sorted into five types; forced air systems, radiant heating, steam radiant, hot water baseboard and electric baseboard. Each delivery system has pros and cons.

forced air systems, radiant heating, steam radiant, hot water baseboard and electric baseboard

Furnaces

Most North American households depend on a central furnace to provide heat. A furnace functions by moving or blowing heated air throughout a system of ducts via air vents, registers or grills, delivering heated air to rooms and areas throughout the house. This type of heating system is called a forced warm air forced hot air system. These systems can be powered by electricity, natural gas, or fuel oil.Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs and services all brands of forced air furnaces throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.  Additionally, we are your local Comfort Care Experts for York brand furnaces.  You can conveniently request furnace installation or repair service and book appointments right here on our website. 

Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs and services all brands of forced air furnaces throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Fuel is mixed with air and burned inside a gas- or oil-fired furnace. A metal heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to air is heated by the combustion of the fuel. Fresh, incoming air is passed through the heat exchanger by the furnace’s “air handler’s” fan which then moves it through the ductwork downstream of the heat exchanger. Combustion biproducts and gases are released from the building through a flue pipe. Older “atmospheric” furnaces were vented directly into the atmosphere resulting in a waste of about 30% of the fuel energy in order to keep the exhaust materials sufficiently hot enough to safely rise and exit out the chimney. Modern high-efficiency furnaces reduce this waste substantially via an “inducer” fan that expels exhaust gases through the heat exchanger and induces draft inside the chimney. Designed to reclaim much of the escaping heat, condensing furnaces work by cooling exhaust gases well below 140°F, where water vapor in the exhaust condenses into water— a primary feature of high-efficiency furnaces and boilers. These systems are typically vented through a sidewall via plastic pipe.

Contractors with CCE certification:

We are Comfort Care Expert contractors for the YORK line of premium, high-efficiency HVAC systems. The CCE designation is a sign that you’re working with the best in the business. Contractors with CCE certification: 1.) Participate in ongoing training regarding the latest developments in product design and energy efficiency, 2.) Install only premium-quality equipment, 3.) Have proven success in creating and maintaining home comfort. Learn more about our YORK solutions here.

 

Boilers

Whereas furnaces carry heat in warm air, boilers distribute heat in hot water, which gives up that heat as it travels through radiators or other devices in rooms throughout the home. Cooler water is returned to the boiler to be reheated. Hot water systems are referred to as hydronic systems. Residential boilers use natural gas or heating oil for fuel. Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs, repairs and services all brands of boilers throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire—we are your expert team for Weil-McLain, Lochinvar, Bosch and Viessmann brand boilers. You can conveniently request boiler installation or repair service and book appointments right here on our website.

Boilers utilize a pump to circulate hot water through pipes to radiators instead of a fan sending warmed air through ducts. These hot water systems are referred to as hydronic, they circulate water and heat through plastic tubing in the floor, a system called radiant floor heating. Boiler controls include thermostats, aquastats, and valves. These controls regulate water temperature and circulation. In general terms, it is less complex to install “zone” thermostats and controls for individual rooms/areas with a hydronic system than with a forced air system. There are standard controls that access built-in features in new boilers, while others can be added on to save energy or access additional features.

Like furnaces, these condensing gas-fired boilers are relatively common, and significantly more efficient than non-condensing boilers (unless very sophisticated controls are employed). Oil-fired condensing boilers are uncommon in the U.S. for several reasons related to lower latent heat potential, and potential for greater fouling with conventional fuel oil.

Radiant floor heat generally refers to systems that circulate warm water in tubes under the floor. This warms the floor, which in turn warms people using the room. It is highly controllable, considered very efficient, but can be initially expensive to install.

As Lochinvar VIP Contractors, and Accredited Bosch Contractors, we are part of the manufacturer’s trusted team. When you choose to work with us for your Lochinvar or Bosch boiler system, not only do you get the benefit of our experience and expertise during installation but throughout all follow up service care. Click here for more information about Lochinvar solutions and here for information about Bosch systems.

 

Heat Pumps

Think of heat pumps as just two-way air conditioners. During warmer seasons, an air conditioner functions by moving heat from the indoors to the warmer outside using a refrigerant fluid. In colder weather, the heat pump reverses this, pulling heat from the outdoors with the help of an electrical system, and discharging that heat inside the house. There are two common types of heat pumps: Air-source heat pumps that use the outside air as the heat source in colder weather and heat sink in warmer seasons. Ground-source or geothermal, GeoExchange, or GX) heat pump systems derive heat from under the ground, where temperatures are more constant year-round. Air-source heat pumps are the more common systems.

Ductless, Mini-Split, Multi-Split. Residential ductwork is relatively rare outside North America. “Ductless” heat pumps, which distribute energy through refrigerant lines instead of water or air, are widely used. They have excellent cold weather performance and are very cost-effective where replacing electric resistance heating or less efficient fossil fuel systems. Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling installs and services all brands of heat pump and ductless heat pump systems throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

As Elite-tier Diamond Contractor for Mitsubishi Electric brand cooling & heating systems and Accredited Bosch Contractors for Bosch heating & cooling we are part of the manufacturer’s trusted team. When you choose to work with us for your Mitsubishi zoned comfort solution, or Bosch air source heat pump system, not only do you get the benefit of our experience and expertise during both installation and follow up service care. Click here for more information about Mitsubishi Electric cooling & heating solutions and here for information about Bosch heat pump systems.

While air-source heat pumps are installed like a central air conditioner, geothermal systems require a “loop” to be buried in the ground. Typically, in either long, shallow (3–6′ deep) trenches or in vertical boreholes. The method employed depends on factors including; the installer experience, lot size, landscape layout and soil composition. Alternatively, groundwater systems pass water from an aquifer across the heat exchanger instead of using a refrigerant. Groundwater is then returned to the aquifer.

As electricity for heat pumps is used to move heat rather than to generate it, heat pumps can deliver more energy than they consume. Coefficient of performance, or COP, is the ratio of delivered heating energy to consumed energy.  

Efficiency

What is efficiency and why does it matter? Efficiency of fossil-fuel furnaces and boilers is the measure of the amount of heat produced per unit of input energy (fuel). Combustion efficiency is the simplest measure; that is merely the system’s efficiency while running. Think of combustion efficiency like the miles per gallon your car gets cruising along at highway speed. 

In the U.S., furnace efficiency is measured by minimum AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). AFUE estimates seasonal efficiency, averaging peak, as well as part-load situations.

In the U.S., furnace efficiency is measured by minimum AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). AFUE estimates seasonal efficiency, averaging peak, as well as part-load situations. AFUE is like your car mileage between fill-ups, including both highway driving and stop-and-go traffic. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace or boiler. As an example, the best gas furnaces and boilers have efficiencies well over 90%.

Choosing A Heating System

Before you replace your heating system, consider the following and then schedule a free consultation with us at Denommee Plumbing, Heating and Cooling.

Cost, of course, is another consideration. The initial cost of a system, as well as the operational and maintenance costs all should be taken-into-account when evaluating the true cost of ownership for a given system. Throw in state sponsored energy rebates and manufacturer incentives, the upfront cost for a new higher-efficiency system can be much lower than expected.  As an example, a higher efficiency heat pump system may see the higher the initial costs, but the operating and maintenance costs are lower than other systems, bringing the true cost of ownership down. At Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we have experts in these state rebate programs and manufacturer incentives that can help you maximize your savings while getting improved comfort for your home.

Affordable Funding Options from Hearth

Find and choose from convenient, affordable monthly payment options for projects up to $100,000. See your personalized payment plans without affecting your credit score, or obligating purchase.

Click here to learn more or apply.

Maintain, Maintain, Maintain

No matter what system you choose or have installed, regular maintenance is the key to ensuring not only the performance and safety of the system, but the longevity. Regular, annual tune-ups and check-ups of heating systems are recommended for all types of heating system. Additional benefits of regular heating system maintenance include; energy savings, untimely repair avoidance, safety and prolonged system life. Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides expert maintenance service and repair for all types of home heating systems including furnaces, boilers and heat pump-based systems. You can conveniently request service and book your appointments right here on our website. 

You and your family deserve comfort, safety and peace of mind. Regular expert tune-ups and maintenance of HVAC systems help keep your equipment safely operating in peak condition while holding expensive, and unexpected, repairs at bay.

Our Peace of Mind Service program is a premium maintenance platform to address home comfort system needs with the convenience of low monthly payments.

Our Peace of Mind Service program is a premium maintenance platform to address home comfort system needs with the convenience of low monthly payments. Highlights of our program include:

  • HVAC System Inspections
  • Annual Courtesy Plumbing System Inspections
  • Priority Routine Service
  • Repair Parts Discount
  • Warranty on Parts & Labor
  • Convenient Booking Service
  • Multiple System Options
  • Emergency Service
  • Low Monthly Payments
  • Replacement Credit
  • Transferable with Property
  • No Overtime Charges

Knowing you have a trusted team of experts you can count on to look after the comfort and safety of your home throughout the year, and to confidently stand behind their work, gives you peace of mind. For more information please visit our Peace of Mind Service Program page.

Call Denommee Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at 978-649-8886 for a free in-home consultation or simply request HVAC cooling system service and book appointments right here on our website.

Case Studies

Heat Pump Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

Heat Pump Water Heaters: How Do They Work?

Heat pump water heaters are three times more efficient than conventional electric water heaters and can lower operating costs by 50%. How are they able to do this? How do heat pump waters work? Read on to find out. At It’s easier to move something than to make...

read more
Ducted Heat Pump Central Air Conditioning Upgrades

Ducted Heat Pump Central Air Conditioning Upgrades

  Enjoy highly efficient year-round comfort with a Bosch IDS ducted central air heat pump system upgrade. These air conditioning systems ensure homes are cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by using the latest generation of inverter driven heat pump...

read more