Most homeowners think that boilers and water heaters have the same function. While they both warm water, their similarities end there. When you need boiler repair, you must call on a heating contractor instead of a plumber, who’s more familiar with water heaters. Here’s how these appliances diverge.

What’s a Water Heater?

As the name implies, a heater makes the water hot through a tanked or tankless system. You use this hot water for bathing, washing, cleaning, and cooking.

In a tanked mechanism, the appliance heats the water stored in the tank to the appropriate temperature before use. It contains heating rods or tubes powered by gas or electricity. A tankless heater, on the other hand, does away with storage and warms the water while it’s running from the faucet or shower. Of the two, the latter requires less space since there’s no storage cylinder.

What’s a Boiler?

Older boilers convert water into steam, which is a more efficient method of moving and retaining heat than via the air. Vapor is denser than air and holds more heat, but it’s also lighter than water and consumes less energy to move. Newer boilers simply heat water and leave it in its liquid state.

Using a burner fueled by gas, oil, electricity, or wood, the HVAC system heats water. Then, either the hot vapor or water runs through a series of pipes to radiators or tubes that warm your home through the walls and floors, then back to the boiler as it cools down.

Boilers come in three kinds—combination, system, and standard. A combination boiler warms the water directly from the line, providing heat on demand. A system or sealed-system boiler includes a tank for storing hot water before its conversion to steam. Because of its limited holding capacity, a system boiler is ideal for smaller households. Among the three, the standard or conventional boiler is the most suitable for larger homes and buildings.

How Do They Differ?

Unlike water heaters, boilers work on closed-loop systems, which means they repeatedly cycle and use the same water while running. Therefore, they do not require a constant supply of fresh water. Since boilers can sometimes deliver hot water, too, they can perform two functions in one appliance. Boiler repairs require the help of a licensed HVAC contractor, while water heater failure calls for the services of a plumber.

For quality boiler repairs, trust Ray's Heating, Plumbing, Electric of Salmon, ID. They have provided outstanding electrical services and plumbing repairs throughout the area for nearly 50 years. Call (208) 756-3649 to set a boiler repair appointment, or visit their website to learn more about their services.