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10 Best Boilers for Home Heating

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Boilers serve an immensely important function for homes across the country. In the cold winter months, boilers act as an important source of heat that wards off the worst of the chills, keeping families comfortable. In addition, boilers provide homes with a steady supply for hot water, which is useful for everything from showering to doing the laundry.

Whether you need a replacement boiler for your home or are looking to buy one for the very first time, below, we've collected ten of the very best boilers based on efficiency and cost. In selecting your boiler, keep in mind that fuel and operating costs are to be weighted just as carefully as the boiler's retail price.

Westinghouse WBR055W Boiler

The Westinghouse Water Heating company makes some of the best boilers in North America. It has consistently won praise for the technology and aesthetics of its stainless steel boilers. The company's WBR055W Boiler makes a good solution for small homes. This is down to a number of factors, chief among them the unit's ability to convert most of the energy input into home heating, even in the coldest winter months. It has a 97% AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating. You can purchase this model at retailers for under $2000.

Bosch Greenstar ZBR 16-3

Bosch has been a leader in the manufacturing of highly energy-efficient boilers for the better part of its very long existence. Some of the company's boilers, such as the Bosch Greenstar ZBR 16-3, have the lowest overall energy use in the industry. This boiler will efficiently heat your home and water, at minimal cost, all year round. It costs around $2300.

Carrier BWMAAN000200

Carrier's BWM line of boilers boasts 95% AFUE ratings and provides a complete range of boilers for the home. Large homes can opt for the 200 MBtu/hr (Million British Thermal Units per hour). Carrier BWMAAN000200. This will provide adequate heating for a home of over 5,000 square feet, or multiple smaller homes.

Slant/Fin CHS-154, 122,000 BTU Boiler

For a large boiler that won't break the bank to operate, you can turn to the Slant/Fin CHS-154. This boiler is capable of 122 MBtu/hr and costs around $4,000. Compared to other high-power units going for over $5,000, this is a good buy for the home. The boiler uses modulating condensing technology to hit a 96.5% efficiency.

Phantom PHNTM210

The Phantom PHNTM210 from the Crown Boiler Company is a larger boiler that produces 210 MBtu/hr, suitable for heating large homes. It uses natural gas for fuel and features many technological innovations to improve performance right through the winter season. It has freeze protection, warm weather shutdown, and touchscreen control.

EFT-55 by HTP

For heating a small to average home at the lowest cost, you can select the EFT-55. This 55 MBtu/hr boiler has an efficiency of 97%. Running this unit costs, on average, less than $500 annually, making it a good option for saving money. It sells for around $3,700.

Laars NTH080NXN2 NeoTherm

Laars boilers are renowned for their technical quality and sturdy construction. The Laars NTH080NXN2 NeoTherm is a very powerful boiler in a moderately-priced package. Retailing for around $2,000, it gives you a reliable 80 MBtu/hr, alongside a 95% AFUE.

ECR International ECR97A-075

The ECR International ECR97A-075 is suitable for mid-sized homes. It features a 75 MBtu/hr rating and a 95% AFUE. The unit has an easy to use control interface, as well as corrosion-resistant flue collector and a 15-year warranty.

Dunkirk VX-100

This is a wall-mounted boiler with modulating condenser. It has a rating of Energy Star Most Efficient, with its 95% AFUE. A text-display control unit makes it easy for the user to set the heating schedule. If you have multiple boilers, you can easily combine their control from this boiler's control module.

IBC Technologies SL 26-260G3

This boiler is suitable for very large residencies or providing heating for multiple buildings. It features multi-boiler control technology that enables you to easily combine multiple of these units in coordination to serve large buildings. It has an output of 260 MBtu/hr and has an easy to use touchscreen.