Boilers come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, many of the boilers with which you might be familiar are quite different from all of the other boilers available. So, when you want to install a boiler, you may be tempted to ask, "What is in the box?" This is especially true if you are installing a residential boiler instead of a commercial or industrial boiler. Here are some common boiler questions and answers:
What Is in the Box?
This is a knee-jerk response to a residential boiler. Most homeowners are expecting this huge piece of equipment to be installed in their basements or utility closets, and are surprised by a box not much bigger than a two-drawer filing cabinet. The answer is, of course, your boiler. A residential boiler is the smallest of all boilers. They do not take up a lot of space, and they install a lot faster than you might think. Most residential boilers are packaged in cardboard boxes for shipping because they are small enough to do so.
How Do Different Boilers Operate?
A residential boiler is typically fueled by natural gas or oil. The fuel port is located on the side of the boiler and helps activate the boiler's combustion and heating coils. A commercial boiler requires a little more "oomph" to get going, so it may operate using oil, electricity, or wood (in some parts of the country). A commercial boiler is about three to five times as big as a residential boiler, but considering the fact that a commercial boiler is used to heat large buildings like schools and churches, it makes sense. An industrial boiler is the size of a walk-in closet and requires an immense amount of power, which is usually electrical. An onsite industrial generator is responsible for powering these massive heating machines.
Can You Buy Smaller, Wall-Mountable Boilers?
Yes, you can. With the development of tankless water heaters came the technology that built the smaller, wall-mountable boilers. In fact, you can place both the tankless water heater and the boiler side by side on your wall in your utility closet! Both are placed at chest height, which makes it easy to access and repair them when needed.
Can You Buy High-Tech Boilers?
That depends on what you mean by "high-tech." If you mean boilers that are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and have digital readout and touch-programming screens, then, yes, you can buy "high-tech" boilers. If you mean boilers you can operate as part of a "smart home" operation or voice-command, then, no, not yet.
To learn more, talk to companies like Comfort Solutions Inc.
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