Boilers provide efficient heating for large homes and buildings, but not everyone understands how these heating systems work. Boiler furnaces heat water using a gas or oil burner, creating steam. The steam travels through the piping and radiators to warm different rooms in a house. By understanding the components that make up the system, homeowners can better recognize when HVAC services are needed.

3 Crucial Parts That Power Your Boiler Heating System

1. Heat Exchanger

Heat exchangers are pipes that direct water through a boiler’s main chamber and into a circulator pump. As water passes through this chamber, it is heated by the burner assembly beneath it. The circulator pump takes steam from the heated water and distributes it to heat livable spaces. Sometimes limescale or air can buildup inside the heat exchanger, causing gurgling and rumbling sounds in your heating system. A professional HVAC technician can flush or bleed the radiator to resolve the problem.

2. Circulator Pump

Circulator pumps are similar to air handlers in furnaces and make sure water flows through and is converted into heat to warm indoor air. When a circulator pump fails, there is no heat produced. These parts usually only fail due to old age and wear and tear, but a certified technician can replace them.

3. Vents

Many boiler heating systems rely on natural gas to function, so toxic combustion gases are produced in the heating process. The main vent is attached to a boiler’s main chamber’s exhaust flue, allowing those combustion gases to rise and vent outside of the home. Since the main vent prevents toxic gases from mixing with indoor air, the proper function of these components is essential. 

If your boiler needs an inspection, service, or repair, the experienced technicians at Walter's - Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC in Ellsworth, WI, can help. For 60 years, they have provided HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and septic services to residential and commercial clients. Call (715) 273-5589 to request an estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.