When we hear the word ‘boiler’, some of us think of steam locomotives and big, industrial-use steam-producing tanks heated by coal or maybe gas. But the fact is that boilers have become increasingly common not only in commercial applications but also for residential use.
Boilers Gaining In Popularity
A boiler is basically a tank in which water (or some other fluid) is heated – and not necessarily to the boiling point. Quite often they are used simply to provide hot water for sinks and showers and radiant home heating.
Commercial Boilers
These big commercial boilers are used to power machinery and to heat large buildings. Most of them are gas boilers though other fuels can be used to fire them.
Residential Boilers
Compact and silent gas and electric boilers are becoming quite common throughout North American residences. Boiler efficiency is a big reason why they have been used in apartment and office buildings for a long time and now that efficiency is available to home owners as well. Residential radiant heating systems have become a very popular in new construction.
Lennox boilers and Bradford White boilers are especially popular models for residential use.
Radiant Heating
Radiant floor heating is frequently accomplished with water that has been heated in a boiler and is known as hydronic heating. This economical, reliable and long-life method of warming homes is becoming especially popular.
Electric Boilers
Boilers used to be powered mainly by the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, oil or coal. But, in the case of small-to-medium sized boilers, particularly in home use, electricity is rapidly becoming the fuel of choice. The small, indoor electric boilers commonly used in residential applications are 100% efficient and a logical choice in areas that have low electricity rates, such as British Columbia in Canada.
ASME
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) was founded well over a hundred years ago to improve the safety of boilers. In the 18th century, boilers and coal mining in Great Britain powered the industrial revolution. However, early boilers were fraught with problems and caused a great many injuries and deaths.
With the 1880 founding of ASME and its focus on boiler safety, that quickly changed. Today, ASME codes for the development, construction, installation and maintenance of boilers have been adopted around the world and have led to the current safety standards of boilers. In short: boilers are as safe a method
Boiler Repair And Maintenance
Boiler repair services should only be undertaken by certified professionals, such as those from Vancouver’s Efficient Furnace, a heating contractor with the highest qualifications and customer recommendations. They offer emergency boiler service as well as sales and installations of commercial and residential boilers.
Boiler Maintenance Tips
If you are considering a boiler for a new building or for home renovations, you can rest assured that today’s high quality boilers provide reliable and economical service for a very long time.
By: Andrew Lake