Hot water heating is a subset of the field of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC). While ventilation and air conditioning systems often relate to heating, systems that heat with hot water typically provide heat and do not relate to a building's ventilation or air conditioning.

Hot water boilers education and training includes learning about the various configurations of heating systems that have a boiler component. Things you will need to learn about include:

1. The different fuels that provide a source of heat for a hot water heating system, including wood, coal, oil and natural gas;

2. The method of circulating the heat throughout the building, such as radiators or hot water baseboards;

3. And the method of venting the boiler, which can use a chimney or a power venter.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get training from industrial hot water boiler companies

The experts on residential or commercial hot water boilers are often those who manufacture them. Brand name manufacturers can train you or your staff to fix and maintain their models of hot water heating systems. Some manufacturers give certification to those who complete their courses.

I recommend: Get information on the Weil-McLain School of Better Heating, its In-Field Training program or its Hydronic Education and Training (H.E.A.T.) Programs available in video training series. Contact Utica Boilers to find out how to attend classes at its training center in upstate New York or get dates and locations for one of the "Road Show" seminars in your area.

Find seminars on installation and maintenance of industrial hot water boilers

One- and two-day seminars can be a good introduction to a new product or a refresher for those who have some experience. Go to one of these seminars yourself or send your staff. If you have a group of people who need training, you may be able to schedule on-site training at your own location.

I recommend: Find training seminars on boiler operation, maintenance and safety at TrainingAndSeminars.com. Choose from several boiler training programs at AESYS Technologies.

Learn some things you can do yourself to fix your hot water boiler

A little knowledge is always a good thing, even if you don't plan to do most of the repairs yourself. Learn to do simple maintenance, find out how to identify problems and train on how to check your system before the heating season starts to eliminate surprises when the first cold snap arrives. Find out about hot water boiler prices so you know when it's cost effective to repair your existing boiler and when you should get a new one.

I recommend: Type in your boiler question and receive answers from HVAC experts at JustAnswer or choose to read one of the questions it has already answered. Get information on how a hot water boiler works, how to identify problems and how to go about fixing it yourself at Fix It Club.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A residential or commercial hot water boiler is part of a heating system that has many other parts in addition to the boiler itself. Learn how to fix and maintain parts such as the radiators or baseboards, switches, fuses and valves.
• •  You'll need basic plumbing skills to do the work yourself in addition to knowing how to deal with the electrical and heating components.

There are many choices among commercial hot water boilers and industrial hot water boilers. Business owners choose hot water boilers because of efficiency or the replacement price for a new hot water boiler. Consider both factors before installing or replacing a hot water system.

First, consider hot water heat systems' efficiency rating. With rising energy costs, small business owners want commercial hot water boilers with higher annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings, which are categorized by numeric numbers. The higher the number, the higher the efficiency and the lower the cost of operating a commercial hot water boiler.

Secondly, the price for a new hot water boiler varies between manufacturers and installing mechanical contractors. It is more important to find a mechanical contractor with experience in installing and servicing industrial hot water boilers than it is to purchase brand name equipment. Remember:

1. Hot water boiler prices vary according to efficiency (AFUE) ratings.

2. "Hot Water Boilers" is an HVAC industry classification where consumers can search for a commercial or industrial hot water boiler company.

3. Hot water heating uses hot water and eliminates the need to deplete the world's fossil fuel supply, i.e. natural gas and oil.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right commercial hot water boiler for your company

Small businesses, and some larger residences, are perfect candidates for new or replacement commercial hot water boilers. Hot water boilers promote 'green technology' and are good for the environment as well as for lowering utility bills.

I recommend: One example of an efficient condensing boiler is the model 9600 CB Condensing Hydronic Boiler from Laars Heating System Company. Aerco International manufacturers a condensing modulating boiler that is characterized by its small size, allowing it to fit into confined spaces.

Choose an industrial hot water boiler that gets the job done

Industrial hot water boiler companies are not commonplace in the HVAC industry. These products are more specialized and are 'niche' products within the overall HVAC industry. Companies that specialize in these products usually have the expertise and experience to help large or small industrial hot water boiler customers.

I recommend: GlobalSpec.com lists a number of different sources for industrial hot water boilers. After registering, you can search over 24,000 supplier catalogs. Reimers Electra Steam Inc. has boilers designed for use with swimming pools and water source heat pumps, to name two applications.

Hire qualified hot water boiler contractors in your area

There are many websites that represent the hot water boiler trade, especially those that feature chat rooms and give advise to industry professionals as well as to consumers, do-it-yourselfers, and purchasing agents.

I recommend: Since hot water boilers fall under the "hydronic heat" classification, many plumbers as well as steam heat professionals are the experts to seek out. One of the best gathering spots on the Internet is HeatingHelp.com where "Wallies" gather at "the Wall" to discuss hydronic heat issues. There is a lot of crossover between hydronics and oil heat and a similar gathering spot is the forum at OilTechTalk.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hot water boiler prices are critical but not the only consideration when looking to install or improve a hot water heating system. Look for efficiencies, which may save you more money in the long run.
• •  Consult with hot water boiler manufacturers to find the right equipment and their recommended sellers and installers in your geographic market.

Industrial hot water boilers can be one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment in any plant. Boiler operators need some training in the proper installation, maintenance and safe procedures when it comes to boilers. Training options include certification programs, refresher courses set up in-house or manufacturer training seminars straight from the boiler source.

Hot water heating safety should be of the upmost importance. Employees that come in contact with boilers need to know the basics and at least simple safety measures to protect themselves and others. Find basic safety information online, or look to your boiler manufacturer for a more complex set of standards and regulations. Start a safety program by:

1. Putting a customized boiler safety brochure together for your employees.

2. Looking to manufacturers of commercial hot water boilers for training courses.

3. Sign your employees up for a certification or training class.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for hot water boilers safety information to create your own training

Find a few good boiler safety guideline pages online from which you can take information in a customized brochure or poster for your boiler room. Make sure all your employees have access to the safety information you find, or require them to review the information and actually take a quiz or safety course to refresh their boiler safety knowledge. Use incentives like free meals or extra vacation to keep your employees interested in refreshing their knowledge of safety.

I recommend: Refer to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations for a good overview of boiler information and safety specific tips. The North Carolina Department of Labor also puts out a boiler newsletter with helpful safety information you could use to put together a safety course.

Find safety courses from manufacturers of hot water heating systems

Look to boiler manufacturers for safety programs. Many manufacturers provide on-site training and safety refresher courses with the purchase of their hot water boiler systems. If you're shopping for a new hot water boiler, it's helpful to find a manufacturer that offers free training with their product.

I recommend: Find manufacturers that include safety training in their hot water boiler prices. The American Boiler Manufacturers Association has links to many manufacturers that provide maintenance, installation and safety training. Cleaver Brooks is a boiler manufacturer that offers in-depth training. Another manufacturer, WARE, offers a Boiler University with safety and other boiler training options.

Enroll your industrial hot water boiler operators in a safety course

All boiler operators and maintenance workers should have some training as to the proper maintenance and safe operations of the boiler system. Find an online course to put new employees through, or offer refresher training in the form of video training for employees that will be working with boilers.

I recommend: For in-depth independent boiler training and certification, look for hot water heating system and boiler training from The Training Center. American Trainco offers a boiler operation, maintenance and safety seminar as a 2-day course.