Understanding Different Boiler Types: A Comprehensive Guide

The boiler is the primary system for heat production within your home. In this section, we present the manuals for the boilers we assist. It’s always good to have a printed manual handy for adjustments, problems, or possible inspections.

Types of Boilers

Boilers, both modern and recent models, are differentiated by their type, we have:

• Type B low-performance boilers: Also called open chamber boilers or natural ventilation boilers
• Type C low-performance boilers: Also called sealed chamber boilers or forced ventilation boilers
• Type C high-performance boilers: Usually condensing boilers

Open Chamber Boilers

These have strict regulations regarding installation and operation. During the maintenance of these boilers, it is always checked:

• That the environmental ventilation duct exists and is free from obstructions
• That the draft or depression of the chimney where the open chamber boiler is connected, expressed in Pascal, is positive (depression) and exceeds 3 Pascal.
• That the performance is higher than that required by law
• That there are no gas leaks in the environment

Forced Ventilation Boilers

In addition to the common checks for gas connection tightness, these sealed chamber boilers must meet the performance requirements like open chamber boilers. It is also checked:

• That the exhaust and ventilation connections are correctly connected
  • The exhaust must follow the chimney through a dedicated, sealed tube
  • The ventilation duct (incoming air) must be connected to the outside

Condensing Boilers

New condensing boilers allow greater efficiencies thanks to the recovery of heat from the fumes. In fact, compared to traditional sealed chamber boilers, condensing boilers have lower flue gas temperatures (up to 35-40). The efficiencies are higher, but all the water vapor from the combustion, also known as condensate, must be discharged. Therefore, by regulation:

• The condensate discharge duct of the condensing unit must be discharged without the possibility of recovery by the user
  • You cannot discharge into a tank!
  • The condensate water cannot be reused!
  • If the drain is sensitive to acidity, the condensate must be neutralized with an accessory, the acidity neutralizer.