Boilers in Ann Arbor, MI

While both heat your home, boilers and furnaces operate differently. Boilers heat water to create steam or hot water that circulates through pipes to radiators, baseboard heaters, or radiant floor systems throughout your Ann Arbor home. This provides consistent radiant heat without blowing air. Furnaces, in contrast, heat air and distribute it through ductwork. Boiler systems typically offer more even heating, operate more quietly, and don’t circulate dust or allergens. They’re particularly effective in older Ann Arbor homes and can be more energy-efficient in certain applications.

With proper maintenance, most modern boilers in Ann Arbor homes last 15-20 years, though some high-quality cast iron models can function for 30+ years. Factors affecting lifespan include installation quality, maintenance frequency, water quality, operating conditions, and system design. Annual professional maintenance typically extends boiler life by preventing scale buildup, corrosion, and component wear. Our technicians can assess your existing boiler’s condition and expected remaining service life to help you plan for eventual replacement before emergency situations arise.

Contact our Ann Arbor boiler experts if you notice: strange banging, gurgling, or whistling noises; uneven heating with cold spots in your home; increasing energy bills without usage changes; water leaks around the boiler; pilot light burning yellow instead of blue; radiators that won’t heat fully or require frequent bleeding; unusual odors during operation; or fluctuating water pressure. Addressing these symptoms promptly typically prevents minor issues from developing into major problems and helps maintain safe, efficient operation throughout the heating season.

Professional boiler maintenance includes several important procedures: inspection of all safety controls and operating components; cleaning of burners, heat exchanger, and combustion chamber; testing of water quality and treatment if needed; checking for proper water pressure and expansion tank operation; inspection of circulator pumps and zone valves; verification of proper venting; and combustion analysis to ensure optimal fuel efficiency. For Ann Arbor homeowners, annual professional maintenance is essential for safe, efficient operation and typically required to maintain warranty coverage.

For many Ann Arbor homeowners, high-efficiency boilers provide excellent return on investment through reduced energy consumption. Modern condensing boilers can achieve efficiency ratings up to 98%, compared to older models operating at 70-80% efficiency. This improvement typically translates to 15-30% lower heating costs. While high-efficiency models cost more initially, most homeowners recoup this difference through energy savings within 5-7 years. Additionally, these systems often provide more consistent comfort, quieter operation, and reduced environmental impact—important considerations for environmentally-conscious Ann Arbor residents.

Boilers offer several advantages that make them ideal for many Ann Arbor homes. Their radiant heat distribution creates more consistent comfort without the temperature fluctuations common with forced-air systems. Since boilers don’t blow air, they don’t circulate dust, allergens, or pathogens—beneficial for residents with respiratory concerns. Boiler systems operate very quietly, can be zoned easily for customized comfort in different areas, and often achieve higher efficiency in older homes. They’re particularly well-suited to historic properties throughout Ann Arbor where adding ductwork would be impractical or compromise architectural integrity.