Boilers

Boilers provide hot water or steam for industrial processes, for heating spaces and for hot water. A wide range of types and sizes of boilers meet the varied needs of industrial and other facilities.

Most boilers have three main parts: a burner that converts the fuel to heat, a heat exchanger that transfers the heat to steam or water, and a boiler vessel. A chimney stack draws off the combustion by-products (flue gases), and the hot water or steam flows through a distribution system to its end uses.

Natural gas and oil are the most common fuels used in boilers. Propane, electricity, coal and biomass are also used. Electric boilers are generally found where combustion boiler fire hazards pose safety risks and where it is important to reduce air pollution.

Boiler life is approximately 25 years, so it is essential to consider both long-term fuel and maintenance costs along with initial capital costs when buying or retrofitting. Fuel costs for a new high-efficiency model can be up to 40 percent lower than for a conventional one. Over 25 years, this can be a great saving. In many cases, simply retrofitting an existing boiler can improve efficiency by 20 percent or more.