There are a few different ways of looking at boiler types. You can view them according to construction, fuel type, and utility.
When you categorize boilers by construction, you’ll generally find three different types: combi, system, and conventional.
Combi stands for combination, and combi boilers act as both hot water heaters and for central heating. They tend to be pretty small, so they’re a great choice when you’re trying to save space. There are a couple of disadvantages to combi boilers, however. First, they heat water on demand, so if you’re trying to get hot water from a number of fixtures simultaneously, you’re going to be in trouble. That makes them best-suited to homes with only one bathroom. The fact that they’re so condensed also makes them a bit more difficult to repair, so your maintenance costs may increase.
System boilers are somewhat like combi boilers in that they provide both heating and hot water. The core difference is that system boilers have their own separate storage tank for hot water. This makes them a better choice for homes where hot water demand is likely to be an issue (i.e. homes with multiple bathrooms). A hot water storage tank means you’ll need more space to install the system.
Conventional boilers are used the least often out of the three types of boilers; they need both a hot water tank and a cold water tank, so they take up a lot of space. They are, on the flip side, less expensive than the other two options if you already have a conventional boiler system in your home.
When you look at boilers by fuel type, you’re simply determining what is powering the boiler. More often than not, you’ll see gas boilers; natural gas is pretty easy to come by in Manitoba. Occasionally, however, you’ll see electric boilers, or even biomass boilers. Each of these fuel types comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Are you aiming to be eco-friendly? Are you trying to find the least expensive cost? Depending on your needs, you may be suited to a specific fuel type.
Finally, you might look at boilers by their function. There are some people who only use boilers to heat water – those might better be defined as hot water heaters. There are commercial and industrial boilers. There are boilers rated for high-density housing, and boilers rated for small homes.
Honestly, categorizing every type of boiler is impossible in one blog – there are so many different ways a boiler can be built. That’s no surprise; they’ve been around for a long time. We offer Winnipeg boiler repair. We also do boiler replacement, and new installs. Get in touch with us!
