Updated September, 2025
Homes in Madison, WI, have several options when it comes to choosing a way to achieve a warm and comfortable indoor environment. Aside from the traditional furnace or heat pump, a high-efficiency gas boiler is a popular option. If you’re planning to replace your current heating setup in the near future, you may be interested in learning more about this ultra-efficient device.
What Is a High-Efficiency Gas Boiler?
Natural gas or propane is used by high-efficiency gas boilers to heat water for residential and commercial purposes. Natural gas or propane is burned in a combustion chamber. This, in turn, heats up the heat exchanger. The heat is then transferred to water, which circulates through the rest of the heating system. Modern units often feature electronic controls that help you regulate the temperature of your home. The efficiency level of this process is often around 90% or higher, depending on the exact system setup you have.
Comparing Standard and High-Efficiency Boilers
A high-efficiency gas boiler wastes a lot less energy than a standard model. It also produces fewer emissions, and that reduces your carbon footprint. A higher standard of efficiency is often achieved with advanced features, such as a unit’s ability to trap and reuse heat that is typically lost in a standard setup. This is called a condensing gas boiler. It has a secondary heat exchanger that extracts more heat from the combustion gases prior to them being expelled into the outside air. The heat that’s captured is used to warm the water that is circulating through the system.
You may find that a high-efficiency model is a little more expensive up-front, but one of these can save you money in the long term. The United States Department of Energy estimates that installing a high-efficiency boiler in your residence can save you up to 30% on your home’s annual energy consumption. You can also save money with the better warranty that often comes with a high-efficiency unit.
Maintenance Costs
As with any kind of heating or cooling setup, there is a certain amount of maintenance that will be required. When the equipment is installed correctly, you should only need to schedule routine service approximately once per year. This process will include an inspection of your system, ensuring nothing appears to be wrong. If minor repairs need to take place, they can be done prior to a larger issue arising. We will clean the interior components of your unit to prevent problems such as blockages.
The Benefits of a High-Efficiency Gas Boiler
In addition to increased efficiency, there are other benefits that you can experience with the switch to a high-efficiency gas boiler.
Long Life Span
A high-efficiency gas boiler unit has the potential to last 15 years or more if it is taken care of properly. It’s also very important that you have a reputable professional install your unit. There are different pumps, valves, pipes, and radiators that are part of this setup. Everything must work correctly for optimal efficiency and long-lasting service.
Our team is knowledgeable about the installation of gas boilers, and they’ll ensure the safety of you and your family. We also want to make certain that the installation is reliable and efficient. We will check the final installation for things like successful operation, proper heat output, system pressure, and correct gas flow.
Greater Comfort
Homes with a high-efficiency gas boiler often experience more comfortable and consistent heat compared to that derived from a traditional furnace or another heating option. If your home is prone to drafts and cold spots despite your efforts to minimize this issue, a gas boiler may be worth considering.
If you suffer from allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, cough, runny nose, and sneezing, you’ll be happy to know that a high-efficiency gas boiler is a very healthy option. It can improve your indoor air quality by not circulating particulate matter through your indoor air as you would experience with a traditional furnace setup.
A high-efficiency gas boiler also puts out more heat than a traditional furnace or heat pump, making it easier to achieve your desired temperature setting.
Determining the Size of Your Boiler
To reap the full benefits of a high-efficiency gas boiler, you want to make sure that you have an appropriately sized unit for your home. Unfortunately, a lot of homes end up with a boiler that is oversized. The result is short cycling, which refers to your system turning on and off frequently. This decreases efficiency and can lead to more frequent boiler repairs.
Other Factors to Consider
When working with our team to choose the right high-efficiency gas boiler for your home, there are several factors to think about.
Fuel Source
This type of boiler comes in both propane and natural gas varieties. Consider the cost of these fuel sources in your area to determine which would be the more affordable and accessible option.
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency Rating
A boiler comes with an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, or AFUE for short. This rating reflects how efficient a boiler is at using fuel. When you see a higher AFUE rating, this means the efficiency rate is better. For optimal efficiency, you want to purchase a boiler that has an AFUE rating of around 90% or higher.
Additional Features
There are a variety of features that you can find when shopping for a high-efficiency gas boiler. They include things like smart thermostats, modulating burners, and advanced reset controls. We can walk you through all the available features so you can decide what’s essential for your home.
A high-efficiency gas boiler is designed to be very safe, but you may want to investigate the different safety features that are included in the unit you’re considering. Make sure that there are carbon monoxide detectors and prevention features included.
Ongoing Maintenance
As previously mentioned, you should schedule yearly maintenance of your high-efficiency gas boiler. In addition to a visual inspection, we will talk to you about efficiency to ensure your system is performing optimally. We will clean away any buildup of debris that may be impacting the overall efficiency of your system. Clear and serviceable venting is essential, as blockages can impact the function of your boiler. We will inspect everything to ensure there is proper airflow.
Replacing the filter in your boiler should be done every 30 to 60 days. This is a simple maintenance task that you should be able to perform yourself.
High-Efficiency Boiler Upkeep and Considerations
Switching to a high-efficiency gas boiler is a smart move for lowering heating bills, but it does come with some new considerations. To get the most out of your condensing boiler:
- Annual Maintenance is a Must: High-efficiency (condensing) boilers have more complex heat exchangers and often PVC venting. Having a professional tune up the system each year ensures condensate drains are clear, burners are clean, and the unit is operating in the optimal combustion range. This not only maintains efficiency but also verifies safety devices are functioning properly.
- Keep the Condensate Line Clear: Condensing boilers produce water as a byproduct of extracting extra heat from the exhaust. This condensate (slightly acidic water) usually drains through a small tube to a floor drain or pump. Periodically check that the condensate line isn’t blocked by sediment or algae. A clogged line can cause the boiler to shut down as a safety measure.
- Ensure Proper Ventilation: These boilers typically use direct PVC vents for fresh air intake and exhaust. Make sure the exterior vent terminations remain unblocked by snow, leaves, or debris. If you ever notice frost or white residue around the exhaust pipe, mention it during service – it could indicate venting issues or that the flue gases aren’t draining correctly.
- Consider an Outdoor Reset Control: Many high-efficiency boilers support an “outdoor reset” control, which adjusts the boiler’s water temperature based on outside temps. This maximizes efficiency by avoiding overheating the water on milder days. If your boiler has this feature, have the technician fine-tune it to our Wisconsin climate.
When properly cared for, a high-efficiency boiler can last decades and deliver significant savings. If you’re upgrading from an old unit, be sure to size the boiler correctly to your home’s heat demand – oversizing can reduce efficiency. Our heating professionals can perform a heat load calculation and recommend the right boiler replacement so you reap all the benefits of today’s advanced heating technology.
If you would like to learn more about potentially having a high-efficiency gas boiler installed in your Madison home, reach out to the team here at Southport Home Services. This is just one type of heating system that we offer. In addition to installations, we also provide repairs and maintenance. We furnish a full range of plumbing services as well, including pipe repair, drain and sewer cleaning, water treatment options, remodeling assistance, sump pump service, and much more. We also perform commercial services.
Call us up at Southport Home Services today to schedule an appointment in Madison.
