Steam boiler vs hot water...boiler?

ethicalpaul

It makes perfect sense to me that my steam boiler is called a "boiler"

But why are the things that make the hot water for radiant systems called "boilers"? They don't boil anything!

I can't be the first to wonder this.

RayWohlfarth

I think its because Water Heater was already taken. I often thought a hydronic boiler should be called a simmerer

HVACNUT

Oh boy, this is gonna be a long weekend.

It's a pressure cookerer... er.

ethicalpaul

I thought of a possible reason. Steam heat predates hot water heat, right? And even today some boilers are made for both, so I imagine in the first days of hot water heating, all the hot water was created by converted steam boilers.

So it just made sense to keep calling them boilers, since in many cases, that's exactly what they already were...just colder versions of them! Maybe?

bburd

No doubt they were exactly the same appliance in the early days of hot water heating.

Interestingly, although any low pressure steam boiler made today can easily be converted to produce hot water, many “boilers” designed for hot water cannot be converted to make steam.

mikeg2015

I agree that it’s because in the early days it was always the same appliance used for either one with dual ratings, just as many have now. the basic block has dual ratings and you simply install different trim and piping.

I believe Steam did come first since it was used for motive power primarily, then later used for heating inside homes once practical.

Water was harder ot use as there were no pumps and you had to rely on gravity systems with oversized pipe that offered little advantage over steam other than more mass.

Worked on my first one the other day. Gravity conversion. Funny seeing a litttle 80k boiler with 1” copper hooked up to 2 or even 3” header.

hot_rod

Call them heating appliances if they are not producing steam. And maybe also loosen up on the ASME H stamp requirements.

HTP has made some excellent, buffered, radiant specific products over the years, but struggled with sales due to lack of inspectors insisting on the H stamp.

ChrisJ

I've brought this up to the guys that give people a hard time over "hot water heater" but are perfectly ok calling something that doesn't boil a boiler.

ChrisJ

An oldie but goodie

JUGHNE

But all water heating appliances are capable of becoming a boiler.....not always good.

Solid_Fuel_Man

A water system:

Circulating, single phase, sensible heat, transfer circuit, employing both heat generator, and heat rejection.

Canucker

> @Solid_Fuel_Man said:
> A water system:
>
> Circulating, single phase, sensible heat, transfer circuit, employing both heat generator, and heat rejection.
>
>

That's too long. Motion carried. Sissy water warmer it is!
Next item on the agenda, please

Solid_Fuel_Man

Sissy fuel saver!

neilc

ethicalpaul said:

It makes perfect sense to me that my steam boiler is called a "boiler"

But why are the things that make the hot water for radiant systems called "boilers"? They don't boil anything!

I can't be the first to wonder this.

kuz it's not a furnasty