The boiler is at the energy center of every heating system. It's responsible for producing and sending hot water or steam. Making sure you buy the right boiler for your specific needs will keep you serviced for years to come. Many factors go into selecting the right boiler, so use this guide below to learn more. If you need help, you can always call Reimers for assistance. 

Hot Water or Steam?  Boilers are typically available for either steam or hot water applications. If you are unsure about which type of boiler you need, we suggest having a professional determine the system type. However, there are clues you can look for to determine if you need steam or a hot water boiler.  The first place to check is in your piping steam system for air vents or traps or a condensate return tank. It is also essential to check the number of pipes connected to your process. Systems that have just a single connection are almost always steam, while those with two-pipes could be either steam or hot water.   Electric Steam Boilers  

If after inspecting the pipes, you are still uncertain about the type of your system, you will need to check the boiler. Steam-fired boilers will have a small glass tube, called a sight glass, mounted on the side of the boiler. This sight glass is intended to show the level of water inside the boiler.

Hot water boilers will not have a sight glass but are likely to have other accessories installed nearby, such as a pump or expansion tank. In some older systems, a hot water system may not have a circulator pump, and the expansion tank might be in the attic.

If upon inspecting both your radiators and boiler you are still unsure about what type of system you have, please contact Reimers or call a professional to check the system.

Efficiency 

Electric Boilers are the best, they use all the energy to heat water.  There is no wasted chimney heat. 

Staging 

Staging boilers are commonly built by Reimers.  They have two or more distinct levels of heat input called stages. The boiler will operate at the lowest stage that meets your needs. This will make sure that the boiler runs longer, delivers heat more evenly, and uses less energy than a non-staging, on/off boiler.

Sizing Your Boiler 

Even with staging and other technology, a boiler can’t offer consistent, efficient energy if it is not sized correctly. If you are replacing a boiler that you were comfortable with in the past, likely, you could replace it with a Reimers boiler of the same size.

However, proper sizing of heating equipment is complicated, so it is best to have a professional compute the sizing for you. To get a better idea of what goes into sizing a boiler and why it is so vital, check Reimers other articles or contact us.  Electric Hot Water Boilers 

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