Boilers are systems that generate steam or hot water to raise building temperatures. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to pick the right boiler for your home. Learn about the different types available, so it will be easier to decide which one best suits your needs.
1. Combination (Combi) Boiler
A combination boiler provides you with hot water and heats your home. It uses condensing technology that extracts latent heat from flue gases to heat water. When you turn on the system, the burner is ignited, and the heat moves via the main heat exchanger into the primary circuit. The plate heat exchanger transfers heated water to the radiators or the taps.
A combi boiler is convenient if you have a small house, as it is compact and you do not need space to add a hot water tank. You may choose a modern model with a pre-heating system that allows the boiler to store some water. This water remains heated throughout the day, and you can use it at the taps when you urgently need hot water.
2. Conventional Boiler
A tank that is placed as high above the boiler as possible delivers water to the system. The fuel in a conventional boiler is burned in a firebox, and the hot gases released are passed through tubes surrounded by water. When the water temperature rises, it is circulated through radiators or other heating appliances to heat your home. A conventional boiler is convenient for a large household whose members have a high demand for hot water. It has a hot water tank that allows for simultaneous water use, for instance, when multiple showers are running.
You can conveniently use conventional boilers even when there is low water pressure in the main supply line. However, they take up lots of space, as you need room for water tanks and hot water storage cylinders. When the water in the cylinder runs out, you will have to wait till the system refills and heats it.
3. System Boiler
System boilers connect directly to the water supply lines but use storage cylinders to supply water to the taps. Cold water is passed over the heat exchanger for heating to the temperature you have set at the heating control. The heating pump moves heated water to the radiators. The mains push water in the cylinder when you turn on the shower or tap.
A system boiler is convenient for large families with multiple bathrooms, which people can use simultaneously. It also needs less space, as you do not have to provide room for a tank in the attic.
4. Condensing Boiler
A condensing boiler is the most efficient boiler system. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are released alongside heat when gas is burned. In standard boilers, these are released through the chimney as waste. A condensing boiler uses the heat from the combustion and the energy released when water vapor is converted into water droplets. The water is then drained from the boiler into a neutralizer.
5. Gas Boiler
Gas boilers use natural or propane gas. Propane is supplied via a gas line from a storage tank placed outside the house and is more common in rural areas where there are no supply lines for natural gas. The gas is allowed into the combustion chamber by the gas valve, where it is ignited to produce heat. The heat exchanger transfers heat to the water, which is then pumped out of the system into a separate cylinder or storage tank. Gas boilers are efficient but may have high up-front costs.
6. Electric Boiler
Electric boilers are more popular due to their high efficiency and environmental friendliness. They do not release exhaust fumes, which carry away heat into the atmosphere. They are convenient in rural areas with no main gas supply lines. An electric current passes through elements that generate warmth to heat water. Electric boilers are convenient in areas that are sensitive to noise distraction, such as hospitals, due to their quiet operation.
When you are in the market for a new boiler or need to replace the existing system at your home, there are different types to choose from based on the fuel used or mode of operation. We have professionals at Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning who can guide you on the model that best suits your home. We have provided comprehensive heating, cooling, air quality, and plumbing services to residents and business owners since 1945.
For service in Spokane, WA and nearby areas, contact Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment.
