| Hot water boilers come in many forms, from | | | | combinations of the two basic types of hot water |
| small appliances that sit on your counter for | | | | boilers. |
| making tea to huge industrial applications. The | | | | -Hydronic Boilers- The above applications are most |
| technical definition is a sealed unit in which water is | | | | often seen in locomotive or heavy industrial use, |
| heated to a specified temperature and then | | | | the Hydronic boiler however is most often used |
| circulated as either steam or hot water. Generally, | | | | for home or business heating purposes. The |
| this is done to provide heat for homes or | | | | principles are the same the boiler contains water |
| businesses. | | | | or fluid that is heated, sometimes to the point of |
| Types of Boilers | | | | steam creation, this heated fluid is then circulated |
| -Fire tube boiler- Water partially fills the boiler | | | | through pipes, and differing types of room |
| barrel leaving what is known as a steam space | | | | heaters. This type of heating has been widely |
| above. This is the type of boiler used in steam | | | | used in the UK for many years. |
| locomotives and is usually powered by burning | | | | Conclusion |
| coal. | | | | You may think that hot water boilers are |
| -Water tube boiler- In this configuration tubes are | | | | outdated but they are actually making a |
| arranged within the water boiler, tubes for water | | | | comeback. People interested in more efficient |
| and the resulting steam. These are generally used | | | | ways of heating their homes and or businesses |
| where high pressure steam is required, such as | | | | are taking a second look at hydronic heating |
| industrial plants, since the water or steam is | | | | systems. The initial cost is significantly higher than |
| contained within small diameter pipes. You have | | | | forced air and other heating sources but the |
| less storage with this type of hot water boiler. | | | | benefits outweigh these costs. |
| -Combinations- many times you will find differing | | | | |