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Types of Home Heating Systems

By Bob Formisano, About.com

6 of 7

Boilers

hot water boiler

Oil-Fired Hot Water Boiler

© Burnham 2006

Boilers
A boiler is the heating plant used to create hot water or steam for hydronic baseboard, radiant heat or steam radiator heating systems. Boilers can use a variety of fuels including natural gas, propane, oil or electricity.

Steam boilers are more complex than hot water boilers and have special gauge glass, pressure gauges, blow off valves and automatic feeds.

Hot water boilers can be small, compact, energy efficient and low maintenance.

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