Knowing the Different Types of Boilers
Deciding on the best boiler for your home or office can be a major undertaking. There are many factors to consider such as cost, fuel efficiency and how much heat output your situation calls for. Before you can begin to make an informed decision you must familiarize yourself with the different types of boilers available. Only then can you match one to your needs.
The conventional boiler is the one you may be most familiar with. It has been in use for many years, in fact, there was probably one in the house you grew up in. It consists of a large tank where water can be heated to high temperatures under high pressure. The water may be heated with coal, oil, gas or even wood. These systems tend to be rather inefficient and because the tank must be made of very strong materials, they take up a lot of space.
Combination boilers use the same process as the conventional boiler, but they are also used to heat hot water. They take up less room than a separate boiler and water heater but they are still rather bulky. They are a bit more efficient than separate units because the hot water is heated by the same flame as the heating water.
Electric boilers are pretty easy to figure out. As the name suggests, they use electricity to heat water. Usually these boilers are used only for hot water as there are more efficient ways than a boiler to heat a home with electricity. The main advantage to an electric boiler is that it carries no risk of carbon monoxide leakage as none is created in the heating process.
Condensing boilers are among the most fuel efficient. The process begins the same with water being heated by some heat source. However, these boilers recollect lost heat from the water vapor produced. This step allows them to create more heat from each unit of fuel consumed. This is relatively new technology that is rapidly making a name for itself.
The hydronic boiler works in very much the same way as the conventional boiler except that the heated water is allowed to become steam and this steam is them pumped around the home or work place through pipes and radiators. Using steam instead of water means that it takes less energy to move the heat through the system. Also, because the water is allowed to vaporize there is no need for a bulky tank that can withstand high pressure.
If you are simply looking for a hot water heater than a system boiler is probably your best choice. They are small and fuel efficient while maintaining a steady source of hot water for your home.
All boilers perform the same basic function, to provide heat and perhaps hot water to an entire building, but not all do it with the same efficiency. If you are in the market for a new boiler you must first determine exactly what your heating and hot water needs are, as well as how much room you have to fit the boiler into. Then you can take a look at the different types of boilers available to find one that meets your needs.
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Category: Home Management
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