Boiler Repair Midlothian, Richmond, Powhatan
What is a Boiler?
A boiler is essentially any appliance that uses water to heat a home (and sometimes provide domestic hot water), as opposed to a furnace, which uses heated air to heat a space.
Whether steel or cast iron or porcelain or aluminum, Mode does boiler replacements and boiler repairs on the following types of boilers:
Condensing boilers are high-efficiency boilers fueled by natural gas or liquid propane. Condensing boilers are reliable with low operating costs. Condensing boilers are so named because they have a secondary heat exchanger. As the gasses pass through the secondary exchanger, additional heat is removed from the exhaust gas. So much heat is removed that it creates condensation, which needs to be removed by a drain line. The liquid produced is not safe for pets or plants.
Non-Condensing Boiler
In a non-condensing boiler, hot gases from the burner pass through to heat the water within the walls of a single heat exchanger. These lower-efficiency boilers generally only come in cast iron and steel.
Natural Draft Boiler
Natural draft boilers are the most basic of all boilers. They are the cheapest and most reliable but are the least efficient of the boiler options. These boilers are often vented into a masonry chimney. When replacing a natural draft boiler, we will often suggest a higher-efficiency boiler instead, as the costs to update the chimney can be higher than expected.
Induced Draft Boiler
In an induced draft boiler, a draft inducer fan pulls the vent gases through the heat exchanger and forces it out of the chimney using positive pressure. These boilers are more efficient than natural draft boilers and come with an automatic ignition.
Steam Boiler
Steam boilers use low-pressure steam to heat a house. They are not very common in central Virginia, but if you currently have a steam boiler and need to replace it, you will likely have to do so with another steam boiler. It is not economical or practical to change to a different boiler type from a steam boiler.
Combi Boiler
Combi boilers offer both space heating and water heating in one unit. Combi boilers are efficient and good for smaller spaces. The downside to a combi boiler is that the amount of domestic heated water is often not sufficient for a family’s needs. Sometimes we can install a sidearm heater to supplement the amount of water that can be heated.
High-Efficiency Boiler
High-efficiency boilers are any boiler that is more than 90% efficient (and less than 10% of the heat is wasted). High-efficiency boilers are always condensing boilers and are required in some countries.
Boiler Replacements by Mode
Please call Mode at 804-481-6633 if you are thinking about a boiler replacement. In order to determine to the best boiler for your situation and needs, first consider:
- Price of the boiler
- Price of the boiler installation
- Operating cost of the boiler
- Cost of boiler repairs
- Frequency of required boiler servicing
- Your space limitations
- Fuel type
- Access to boiler location within your home
- Requirements of the boiler (heating space, heating water, heating a driveway, etc.)
Often, one of the largest expenses of a boiler replacement is retrofitting the piping and making everything code compliant. Rarely can the existing piping be used because all boilers are structured differently.
When the estimator from Mode comes to your home to give you an estimate on a boiler installation, he will be able to give you a suggestion for the best boiler for your situation. Be sure to let him know your priorities, such as cost, efficiency, space savings, etc.
Boiler Servicing by Mode
Mode is experienced with and can perform repairs on a variety of makes and models of boilers. Luckily for the homeowner, most boiler repairs are relatively simple and inexpensive. Oil boilers need to be serviced annually to keep them working safely and efficiently. Gas boilers can be serviced less frequently.
Very often, Mode handles emergency boiler repairs the same day, but keep in mind that many boiler service calls are very lengthy due to the need to drain and refill the boiler.
For boiler installations, Mode often recommends the below brands for quality, cost, and efficiency:
Locations We Serve
We service, repair, replace and install boilers in businesses and homes across Moseley, Midlothian, Chester, Chesterfield, Henrico, Powhatan and Richmond. We frequently work in the following areas—we may already be in your neighborhood if you need help!
- Moseley, VA 23120
- Midlothian, VA 23113 and 23114
- Richmond, Bon Air, Manchester and Tuckahoe, VA 23225 /23235 / 23229
- Powhatan, VA 23139
- Laurel VA, Glen Allen, Short Pump, and Innsbrook 23060
- Chesterfield, VA 23832
- Woodlake, VA 23112
Does Mode have a Maintenance Program for Boiler Service?
Yes! Mode’s Fan Club is a preventative maintenance program that comes with two preventative maintenance check-ups per year on any heating or cooling appliance, including boilers. The annual fee is $239.40 for one system and $358.80 for two. The Fan Club also comes with a 15% discount on our menu pricing that can come in handy when you need boiler repairs.
