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