The only Hann family owned heating, cooling & plumbing business in Cleveland!

The Difference Between a Furnace and a Boiler

Many customers who call for service are unsure of the type of heating system in their home.  Several homeowners think all heating systems are furnaces, but that is not the case.  So, what is the difference between a furnace and a boiler?  Which heating system do you have in your home?

A furnace heats air that is distributed throughout the house via a blower motor and the home’s duct system.  A boiler uses hot water to heat your home.  Hot water boilers distribute heat through small hot water pipes using a pump to heat baseboards, cast iron radiators, or radiant flooring systems.  A steam boiler distributes steam through a network of pipes to heat the radiators in the home.

A simple rule of thumb is that a furnace blows warm air while a boiler heats using water and is distributed with radiators or baseboards.

Verne & Ellsworth Hann has been servicing and installing furnaces and boilers for over 64 years.  Our company specializes in steam and hot water boilers which heat many of the historic homes in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights and the surrounding area.

If you heating system is in need of repairs, maintenance or replacement, call Verne & Ellsworth Hann.  Owned and operated by brothers Bill and Chris Hann, Verne & Ellsworth Hann is a 5 generation company located in Cleveland Heights.  We are the only Hann family owned HVAC and plumbing company in Cleveland.

216-932-9755   –   VEHbrothers.com

What People Are Saying

  • Brian was an excellent worker. He was clear about the problem, worked efficiently and neatly.

    - Richard & Rita G.( Cleveland Heights, Plumbing Repair, February 2020 )
  • The installers were really easy to have in the house.  Super guys.

    - Debby D.( Shaker Heights, Boiler Installation, December 2019 )
  • Efficient – no nonsense!

    - Gail B.( Chagrin Falls, Furnace & Air Conditioning Installation, August 2019 )
  • To all of you, thank you for your professionalism and work ethic.  It was a pleasure to have you in my home to install units.

    - Diane H.( Mayfield Heights, Mini-Split Installation, December 2019 )
  • Great leader in Todd and great team.  Everything was very well done.  Very impressed with Todd’s 40 years of work at Verne & Ellsworth Hann.

    - Richard K.( South Euclid, Boiler Installation, November 2019 )