Boiler Services in Grand Rapids and West Michigan
A lot of older Grand Rapids homes still heat with hot water, and there's a reason people who have boiler heat tend to love it: it's quiet, even, and doesn't blow dust around the house. Prime Comfort Heating & Cooling repairs, replaces, and maintains boilers for homeowners throughout Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan communities.
Boilers aren't something every HVAC company is comfortable working on. Hot water systems have their own controls, piping, and quirks, and getting them right takes someone who understands the whole system, not just the box in the basement. Our Michigan mechanical license covers hydronic heating, and we treat every boiler call with that level of care.
Boiler Repair
When a boiler acts up, it usually gives you some warning first. Common signs include:
No heat, or some rooms or zones staying cold while others heat fine
Banging, gurgling, or kettling noises from the boiler or pipes
Pressure that keeps dropping, or a relief valve that drips or discharges
Water around the boiler, a leaking fitting, or a wet expansion tank
A boiler that short cycles or shows an error code
We find the actual cause before recommending anything, whether that's a failed circulator pump, a bad zone valve, air in the lines, a waterlogged expansion tank, or a control problem. Then we walk you through what we found in plain language. If your heat goes out during a cold snap, call us at (616) 345-8136; emergency after-hours service is available.
If you smell gas or your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone out of the house and call your gas utility or 911 first. Then call us.
Our Boiler Services
Boiler Installation & Replacement
Many of the boilers we see in West Michigan are decades-old cast iron units that have served their homes well but burn a lot more gas than they need to. Today's high-efficiency condensing boilers modulate their output to match the weather, so they run at low fire most of the winter instead of blasting on and off.
We size every new boiler with a heat loss calculation for your home, not by matching the size of the old one. Older boilers were often oversized, and putting in another oversized unit throws away the efficiency you're paying for. In most homes, we can keep your existing radiators or baseboard and connect the new boiler to the piping you already have.
We install high-efficiency boilers from proven manufacturers, including Navien and Dunkirk, and we'll help you decide between:
Heat-only boilers that handle home heating, with the option to add an indirect water heater
Combi boilers that provide both heat and on-demand hot water from one compact unit
Whichever way you go, the quality of the install is what makes it last. That includes the piping, venting, controls, and startup, and we don't cut corners on any of it.
Boiler Maintenance
A yearly tune-up before heating season is the best way to keep a boiler running safely and efficiently. Our boiler maintenance visits include:
Checking system pressure and the expansion tank
Testing the pressure relief valve and low water cutoff
Inspecting circulator pumps, zone valves, and controls
Checking gas pressure, burner operation, and combustion
Cleaning the flame sensor & testing the ignition system
Inspecting the venting and testing for carbon monoxide
Cleaning the condensate trap and checking the neutralizer on condensing boilers
Small problems like a failing expansion tank or a weeping relief valve are cheap to fix when we catch them early. Left alone, they can turn into water damage or a no-heat call on the coldest night of the year.
Why West Michigan Homeowners Choose Prime Comfort for Boiler Service
We're an owner-operated HVAC company with over 65 years of combined HVAC experience, and we'd rather explain what's actually wrong with your boiler than upsell you on something you don't need. Because a boiler is a gas appliance inside your home, every visit includes a safety check, not just a performance check. We serve homeowners across our West Michigan service area, including Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and the surrounding communities.
Need help with more than just your boiler? Check out our full lineup of HVAC services, including air conditioning and heat pumps.
FAQs
How long does a boiler last?
1
A well-maintained cast iron boiler can last 25 years or more. Modern high-efficiency condensing boilers typically last 15 to 20 years with yearly maintenance.
Can I replace my old boiler without replacing my radiators or baseboards?
2
In most homes, yes. A new boiler can usually connect to your existing radiators or baseboard. We'll check the condition of your piping and emitters and size the new boiler to your home's actual heat loss.
Why does my boiler keep losing pressure?
3
The most common causes are a leak somewhere in the system, a failed expansion tank, or a relief valve that's opening. Don't just keep adding water. Have it diagnosed so a small leak doesn't turn into a bigger problem.
What's the difference between a combi-boiler and a regular boiler?
4
A regular boiler heats your home, and your domestic hot water comes from a separate water heater. A combi-boiler does both from one unit, heating water for both on demand. Combis save space over a standard boiler and water heater, plus they’re more energy efficient.
Is a boiler better than a furnace?
5
They're different, not better or worse. Boilers give quiet, even heat with no ductwork, but they don't provide air conditioning. If your home already has boiler heat, it usually makes sense to stay with it, and vice versa.
Schedule Boiler Service
Whether your boiler needs a repair, a replacement, or just a seasonal checkup, our team is ready to help. We service all makes and models - except steam boilers. Call us at (616) 345-8136 to schedule.