"We feel fortunate to have found Pacific Heating and Cooling, they've been servicing our furnace for years. We always ask for Nathan, he knows our system, he likes our dogs and he is always up front about what if anything we need to keep an eye on and what the cost will be when it does come time to take care of it. We have had other technicians come out, they were fine also but Nathan we just really like. We always feel we can trust the work that has been done."
"Quick response with a bid on the work. Prompt answers to my follow-up questions. Could have installed in 2.5vweeks but scheduled it got 7 weeks because it fit better with our schedule. Installers completed the job in one day. Work was neat, clean, and complete. Everything works great so far. Recommended."
"Our furnace failed on a Saturday morning. cummings was the only company that returned our call, Lance came out on Sunday to estimate the job, we accepted and the new furnace and water heater were installed on Monday. We were given detailed instructions on programming the new thermostat, the workers were polite and friendly and cleaned up thoroughly."
"I'd been wanting to get of our old electric baseboard heaters for a long time, and replace it with something more efficient, and Mark helped my understand the differences between a ductless mini-split system and a ducted heatpump system. Even in our small house, the ducted system was the way to go. Mark and his installers were professional and efficient, and answered all my questions. When the thermostat was acting a little odd, he sent a technician over to calibrate it, free of charge. There was a small issue where I initially got the wrong specs for the electrical, and as a result I had the electrician install unnecessary circuits, but Marc reimbursed me for the cost."
"Great. I wanted to replace my oil furnace with a system that does both heating and cooling. They came by, did measurements, and presented some options. I chose the Mitsubishi mini split system because I have a large house and don't need to heat or cool all of it all the time. They installed in a day. Very easy, very boring, I also had them replace the water heater."
"Jane's replaced my 20-year old Munchkin boiler with a super efficient, modern Rinnai. Everyone was a joy to deal with. Service was excellent. Darian, who scheduled and arranged the replacement, and Greg and Oscar (who did the work) were fantastic. Excellent service, especially since I live on Lopez Island, which is not easy to get to. Competent, good-natured, hard-working, nice folks."
"Jose Ruiz was very professional explained every step of the process. As someone who knows nothing about plumbing he walked me through all the details. Thank you Jose for coming out to my home within 2 hours on a Friday evening. A job well done at a reasonable price. You Rock!!!"
"Blue Flame's team did a great job from the initial consultative assessment, bid and installation. Bid was competitive and fair. The entire team was service oriented and responsive. Installation was quick - two crews sent to enable one day install, complete and left clean and orderly. A+"
"This company made the process of getting a heat pump (new installation) very easy for us. They were fast on coming out for the initial bid (Brandon is great!) and they were super fast on the installation. Lorin and his crew were delightful and did an excellent job! There price for everything was way better than any other quote we received and they were very conscientious about how they made everything look. We are very satisfied with every aspect of this project and highly recommend them! I would definitely hire them again!"
No, boilers and water heaters are not interchangeable because they serve different primary functions. Boilers are used for central heating systems, providing hot water or steam to heat your home. In contrast, a water heater's purpose is to supply hot water for daily household use, such as for faucets and showers. A water heater alone cannot supply the warm water or steam needed for a central heating system.
While they are not interchangeable, it is common to have both a boiler and a water heater. In fact, a conventional boiler often works best when a water heater system is already in place. The two systems can be combined to provide both heating and hot water, either by pairing a boiler with an indirect water heater or by installing a premade combination boiler-water heater unit. For home heating, some homeowners may also opt for a furnace instead of a boiler.
If you have a closed-system boiler that requires an expansion tank, you cannot safely operate it without one, as this risks extensive damage or even explosions. You must find a way to make room for the installation. Options include repositioning the boiler, rerouting the boiler piping to a more open area, or performing minor remodeling to create the necessary space. If you are unsure whether your boiler needs an expansion tank or how to best accommodate one, it's recommended to have a local heating service professional assess the situation. They can confirm the requirement and suggest the most practical solution.
The absence of heating or hot water, unusual noises like banging or gurgling, and visible water leakage are key signs. Abnormal boiler pressure, flame irregularities (for gas boilers), or pilot light issues may also signal trouble. Frequent cycling, soot or staining, and unusual odors, particularly gas-like smells, should not be ignored. Modern boilers often display error codes or lockout mode upon detecting issues. Uneven heating across radiators and rising energy bills without increased usage can further point to problems. Prompt attention to these signs is essential to prevent further damage and ensure safety.
A common HVAC rule is that for every 500 to 600 square feet of living space, you need 1 ton of heating or cooling capacity. Now that you know this common rule, you also need to know that it isn’t very accurate, and a dedicated pro wouldn’t use it for your home. If you talk to a pro who won’t or can’t perform a proper Manual J calculation, consider hiring someone more thorough.
The best way to compare HVAC quotes is getting a few detailed quotes from local companies with good reputations. Then, go over the quotes line by line. Protect yourself by insisting on in-person estimates that include equipment manufacturer names, model numbers, SEER ratings, amounts and numbers of materials, details of warranties on equipment and labor, and other specifics.
Knowing the exact equipment and materials is the only way that you can fairly compare quotes. Quotes that are much lower than others can be a sign that the company isn’t providing the best quality service or materials.
The Kent, WA homeowners’ guide to boiler installation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover the average electric boiler installation cost, key price factors, and ways to save. Get transparent, expert-backed estimates for your project.
