Residential Boilers: How Do They Work?

Oct 29, 2022

Residential Boilers: How Do They Work?

How Residential Boilers Work?


Every home needs a boiler, yet with so many types to choose from, it can be overwhelming, especially to a homeowner who doesn’t know much about the available options. In this post, we’ll talk about gas boilers, what they are, and how they work.


The basic principle of a boiler is to transmit heat to water. With that, a boiler works by heating up water that is then distributed to several areas in your home.


Now, how does a gas boiler do this?


How Gas Boilers Work


Gas boilers are activated through the gas main or through Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders. For the boiler to be operational, you can either connect it to the gas main, and from there, you’ll get a continuous supply of fuel. On the other hand, the LPG needs to be refilled periodically.


Whatever the option you choose is, a gas boiler will transfer heat to water through a valve connected to the boiler that opens and allows gas to enter into a sealed combustion chamber, an electric ignition system or permanent pilot then ignites to burn fuel. The hot jets that are connected to a heat exchanger within the boiler transfer heat to the water that flows over the exchanger. The electric pump then must push the hot water through your taps and radiators.


How Different Types of Boilers Work


The process of burning fuel and sending water through taps and radiators are the same with most boilers, but that doesn’t mean all of them work the same. Here, you can see how different boiler types work to provide your home with your much-needed heating and hot water.


  • Combi boilers : This type of boiler doesn’t require additional tanks or cylinders to deliver heating and hot water due to its two independent heat exchangers. One exchange is connected to the radiator, while the other is connected to the hot-water supply. Due to the lack of water tanks or cylinders, they are constantly on standby to provide hot water on demand. Once a request for hot water is made, the boiler will burn fuel.
  • Heat-only/conventional boilers : This is a traditional form of home heating that requires an additional cold-water tank and a hot water cylinder to store water in. It comes with a feed and expansion tank that brings in cold water to regulate water levels.
  • System boiler : This system uses an additional hot water cylinder with most of its major heating components already built-in, which means they don’t need storage tanks. It is a sealed pressurized system that comes from the main supply through a filling mechanism.



Find the Right Boiler for You


Home boilers are essential, and it’s vital to find the right type for your home. With the different types of boilers available today, it can be overwhelming to choose the best for you. Use this information to help you find the right boiler that will suit all your needs and provide you with the results you want. Should you get a gas boiler, keep in mind that it will need to be replaced every 12 years and it needs to be maintained properly.


On the other hand, if you encounter any problems with your heating in Toronto, ON , you can contact us here at Temp-A-Sure.