Modern-day Boilers make our homes and lives extremely comfortable. Before their conception homeowners had to rely on wood or coal, the wood had to be chopped coal was extremely dirty. Both were heavy and had to be dragged/carried inside.
Most homes had a single fireplace which meant one warm room, Nowadays set your thermostat and you have heat and hot water on demand. Every room in your home is warm thanks to your Boiler and central heating system.
The modern central heating system consists of the boiler, pipes, controls radiators and thermostats if you have a system boiler you’ll have a pressurised cylinder aswell to store your hot water. Older style systems, utilise a water tank also.
The Boiler Process
- The Boiler is the beating heart of all central heating systems. Natural gas from the supply in the street flows into the boiler and is ignited in a combustion chamber
- The gas’s used to power a heat exchanger hooked up to a cold water pipe. The heat exchanger uses the power from the gas to heat your water
- A cold water pipe connected to your radiators and underfloor heating (if you have it) is attached to the heat exchanger
- As the water’s heated, it’s pumped through the pipe and radiator system heating your home along the way
- After the water’s journey, it returns to the boiler and blasted with heat before being pumped through the system again
- This continuous cycle ensures the water stays hot, so every room in your home stays at the desired temperature
Combi & System Boilers Work Differently When It Comes To Hot Water
Your Boiler supplies hot water to your taps by using a separate water pipe from the one that heats your radiators. Combi Boilers supply hot water on demand. As you turn on your hot tap your combi boiler switches on. Coldwater flows through a separate heat exchanger where it’s heated before flowing out the hot tap.
System boilers heat supply of hot water at preset times. The hot water’s stored in a cylinder where it remains hot for many hours. Ideal for larger households who need a constant supply of hot water.
Most Boilers run on gas (Electric and Oil Boilers are available to those who live off the Gas Grid). As the gas is burned, it produces exhaust gasses which are released safely outside via the flue.
Modern condensing Boilers utilise exhaust gasses for increased energy efficiency. As the excess gas is expelled, it’s put through another heat exchanger which is used to heat water as it comes back to the boiler from the radiators (After passing through the radiators the water has cooled somewhat). The water’s then preheated by the exhaust powered heat exchanger before being reheated by the primary gas-powered heat exchanger. The Boiler then needs less power to heat the water to the correct temperature, making the process more efficient.
Now you know how a Boiler works, if you need any help with your Boiler let us know our team of Gas Safe Registered Heating Engineers install, service and repair all types and makes of Boilers.
Hi, I’m Terry, the founder and owner of TM Hughes & Son Gas Services
Please get in touch to book an appointment or receive a free, no-obligation quote
Call – 01245 830075
Email – info@tmhughesandson.uk