Commercial boilers are the linchpin of business heating systems. They are large pieces of equipment that provide heating services to your entire building, whether you run a large office block or an industrial plant.
Unfortunately, most enterprises have no idea how their boilers work. And that means that they don’t always recognise when they need to intervene and get them maintained.
In this post, we explore some of the basics related to how commercial boilers work. We then run through the various components they use to generate building-wide heat before discussing the value of maintenance.
The Basics Of Commercial Boilers
Commercial boilers use either gas or electricity to heat water. They then circulate this water around the building to provide heat.
The design of the boiler determines the form of the water it uses. Older boilers almost exclusively used liquid water to transfer heat, usually through copper pipes. However, in recent decades, more have begun using steam.
All boilers have a pump system that circulates hot fluids around buildings. Pipes run from the boiler unit to the radiators. The heat carried in the water transfers to the metal fins of radiators and then heats rooms via conduction and convection.
Most boilers use natural gas because of its high energy density and the ease with which suppliers can transport it. Occasionally, commercial boilers use superheated electric coils to heat water, though this tends to be less cost competitive.
Elements Of Commercial Boilers
Commercial boilers are made of several key components all working in unison.
The main part is the combustion chamber. Here, the boiler burns fuel and transfers heat to the water. While the operation sounds violent, boilers perform this process safely. Failsafe mechanisms, such as thick steel chambers, prevent virtually all accidents.
The heat exchanger is a critical boiler component that transfers the heat from the heating elements (i.e. a gas flame) to the water. Usually, they are made of cast iron, but they may also be made of other conductive materials.
Gas boilers also need an exhaust stack. This component ensures that waste gases can escape the boiler and enter the environment. They prevent the buildup of things like carbon monoxide in building interiors.
Then there are the controls. This is where commercial boilers tend to differ most from regular residential boilers. They often have more controls on exterior panels, allowing companies to better calibrate temperature, energy use, and other variables.
Why Commercial Boiler Maintenance Is Essential
Commercial heating installations don’t last forever. Over time, components degrade and systems wear out.
Engineers and maintenance specialists need to ensure that the boiler remains clean and stays working properly and that all safety systems are functional. If hot water or steam were to leak, or carbon monoxide escape into interior atmospheres, it could cause serious injury.
Furthermore, boilers can sometimes explode if pressure builds up too much. Regular maintenance ensures that the risk of this occurring is low. It helps to avoid catastrophic damage and keeps workers, customers, and visitors safe at all times.
Like what you hear? Consult the team at Mitchell’s for trusted advice on a number of appliance issues and repairs.