Commercial vs Domestic Boiler Differences

masthead-logo-icon
Commercial vs Domestic
Boiler Differences

There is a wide range of use cases for domestic (residential) and commercial boiler systems. Which one is right for you depends on a set of factors. You may be in a situation where it could go either way.

Boiler Size Output

A simple way to tell if you need a domestic or commercial boiler is the size, also referred to as the boiler’s output. If you are close on either side of this, it would be worth considering other factors before deciding on a boiler type.

Domestic boilers generally have an output of 24-40kw

Commercial boilers will have an output above 40kw. This output could be in the hundreds or even thousands.

Domestic Boiler Use Case

Domestic Boilers
Great for personal spaces consisting of one or a few families, smaller businesses, and other small buildings.

When it comes to boilers, they are chosen with the right specifications for the buildings they are installed in.

Domestic and residential boilers are utilized in buildings to heat the livable spaces. There are also some “combi boilers” that both heat the living spaces and heat the water (in lieu of a separate water heater system). Domestic boilers are appropriate for the following buildings:

  • Single-family homes- traditional homes. Boilers are especially common in older homes.
  • Apartments / multi-family homes- (Duplex, triplex, quadplex). 5 or 6 units may work as well depending on how many heat outputs there are (such as radiators).
  • Small offices- such as family doctor or dentist practices, salons, accounting, etc.
  • Mom-and-pop retail and dining spaces- such as shops and restaurants.

Commercial Boiler Use Case

Commercial boiler systems are necessary for heating large living spaces and for certain industrial processing applications. They also have additional uses such as sterilization.

  • Hospitals- both for living spaces and sterilization.
  • Schools– with several classrooms and other facilities, need a commercial boiler.
  • Churches- are necessary for heating large open areas.
  • Shopping malls- contains several shops, dining, and recreational areas that need heating.
  • Manufacturing facilities- whether it is brewing or plastic molding, heat at these facilities is utilized to process materials effectively.
  • Large apartments or living facilities- including retirement homes, boarding houses, dormitories, and detention centers.

Commercial Boiler Maintenance

Commercial Boilers need monthly or bimonthly maintenance. The most regular maintenance they need is chemical water treatment. The other maintenance tasks are necessary but do not need to be done as often.

Commercial and industrial boilers require chemical water treatment. This treatment prevents scale, corrosion, and foaming. Scale impedes heat transfer by insulating heat transfer surfaces. Corrosion causes leaks and structural problems. Foaming reduces boiler efficiency. With the proper chemicals pumped regularly into the system, these issues will not occur. Additional commercial boiler maintenance would include cleaning (both on the waterside and the fireside). Inspect your boiler for leaks, and debris, and look at your controller or panel for potential errors. Clean your air and oil filters. Additionally, monitor your pressure and temperature, making sure it is set at the proper levels. Maintenance should be done twice a month or monthly, and low-pressure boilers need to be inspected every two years, while high-pressure boilers need to be inspected every year. (This will vary by state or local jurisdictions).

Domestic Boiler Maintenance

While many of the maintenance needs of a domestic boiler are like that of a commercial boiler, the wear and tear and regularity of this maintenance are significantly different. There is usually not much equipment related to monitoring, automation, and pumping chemicals into residential boilers. It is still recommended to get it inspected every 2+ years (can vary) and to have maintenance annually.

Domestic vs Commercial Boiler Efficiency

It is not advantageous to oversize a boiler, this will just increase costs. Alternatively, undersized boilers will need costly external heating solutions.

One of the most important differences in choosing a boiler type is efficiency. The answer to which one is better depends on your boiler size/output. An oversized commercial system will not be as efficient and will cost extra to install and operate. An undersized domestic system will cost more, even if the initial investment is less, because of the external heat sources you will have to introduce. If you must run additional electric space heaters to keep the temperature comfortable, then your energy costs will be more than getting the appropriately sized boiler.

Commercial Boiler Water Treatment Service

Boiler
FREE ON-SITE SURVEY
(380) 224-7395
sales@chardonlabs.com

Here at Chardon Labs, we have over 60 years of experience related to commercial boiler chemical water treatment. We recommend checking with a local residential boiler/plumbing company for your domestic boiler needs. We decided to specialize in commercial boilers due to our expertise in complex water chemistry needs and wanted to draw our full attention towards that. Whether you are purchasing a new commercial boiler and want to start treatment or are finding issues with your current one and need better treatment, Chardon Labs has you covered. Book a free survey and contact us here today or at (380) 224-7395 and see what we can do for you!

Avatar photo

Matt Welsh

Matt Welsh is the Vice President and Water Consultant at Chardon Labs. He helps consult a wide range of customers utilizing various methods of water treatment, from chemical to chemical-free approaches, large and small applications, and across a wide range of geographical influences. With 20 years of water treatment experience, including a wide range of troubleshooting and service in potable water and non-potable HVAC and industrial applications, he is an expert in water treatment chemistry for cooling towers, boilers, and closed-loop systems.

Previous ArticleFixing a Commercial Boiler That’s Not Heating Next ArticleHow to Reduce Fouling in Heat Exchangers