Plumbing & Mechanical

Boilers

A boiler is an appliance that heats water for distribution to a hydronic heating system. They run on propane, natural gas, oil, electricity or another source.

In a fuel-powered system, a pump pressurizes fuel, then a nozzle sprays and atomizes the fuel where it mixes with air. Electrodes ignite the fuel. The resulting flame passes over a heat exchanger and heats water that flows through the boiler.

Boilers come in a wide variety with many different designs and functions. The efficiency of boilers has improved, from around the 65-70% range in the 1970s to the 80-90% range today.

A boiler is one of the most common heating appliances in the world’s arctic regions. Heat and hot water are vital for living in the cold, which means having a boiler that is properly sized and well-maintained is essential. The arctic climate can take a toll on boilers, causing frost buildup on vents, for example, and other factors not typical of warmer regions.

CCHRC offers information on boilers and a variety of links to help find what you are looking for.

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