Whether you want to buy a residential steam boiler, commercial steam boiler or industrial steam boiler, you must have adequate information about their installation, operation and maintenance.

For manufacturers of gas and electric steam boilers, it is beneficial to acquire information about other aspects of the steam boiler business, such as demand for steam boilers and trends in steam boiler prices. As a supplier of steam boilers, you will need to understand the different technical standards for boilers and their accessories.

You can seek an expert’s advice if you want use low pressure steam boilers or high efficiency steam boilers.

You can acquire information about steam boilers by:

1. Enrolling in courses that offer information about steam boilers
2. Reading through magazines and periodicals for professionals in the boiler industry
3. Joining associations for boiler manufacturing companies
4. Understanding standards for steam boilers

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

Search for steam boilers education and training courses

Some reputable institutions and organizations offer training courses on steam boilers. You can enroll in these training courses to understand the basics of steam boilers.

I recommend: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers a course on the fundamentals of steam system design. AESYS Technologies, a supplier of boilers, offers a boiler operator certification course. In addition, you can attend courses and seminars by The National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

Understand technical standards for steam boilers

Whether you are a supplier of residential steam boilers, commercial steam boilers or industrial steam boilers, you must have information about the standards for steam boilers.

I recommend: ASME International publishes technical standards for various industrial equipment, including boilers. You can also read through the standards for boilers and pressure vessels by ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

Join associations that provide information on steam boilers

You can join associations for companies that manufacture and repair industrial boilers.

I recommend: You can join Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association (TEMA), an association for manufacturers of heat exchangers, including steam boilers. Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association is an association that provides education and training to its member companies. You can also join other associations, such as Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.

Read through magazines that provide information about steam boilers

You can subscribe to magazines and journals that provide up-to-date information about the boiler industry.

I recommend: HPAC Engineering is a magazine that provides updates in the heating, plumbing and air conditioning industry. You can also subscribe to Plumbing & Mechanical, a monthly publication for professionals in the plumbing, piping and hydronic heating industry. Additionally, you can subscribe to other magazines, such as Home Energy and POWER.

Steam boilers are used in a variety of applications, including heating buildings, garment pressing, sterilizing medical instruments, cleaning jewelry and steaming showers. The sizes of steam boilers range from micro steam boilers, which don't require a large heating room, to giant commercial steam boilers.

Some steam boiler features are simply preference, such as whether its powered by electricity or fueled by propane, while other features, like pressure, are dependent on your application. When purchasing a steam boiler, consider the following:

1. Rent a steam boiler if you're unsure of your needs and preferences.

2. Base your purchase on how you want to heat the steam boiler.

3. Heat multiple buildings with low pressure modular steam boilers.

Action Steps
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Rent industrial steam boilers

Renting a steam boiler allows you to test the equipment without a commitment to buy. This option is ideal if you're unsure of what size boiler or pressure type you need. Typically, if you're happy with the equipment, you can buy it at the end of the rental term.

I recommend: Find rental steam boilers at Indeck Power Equipment Company. The company ships worldwide and offers overnight delivery for emergencies. Powerhouse Equipment has flexible rental terms, from as little as a week to as long as you need the equipment. When the term ends, you can renew the rental agreement, return the steam boiler or purchase it.

Purchase environmentally friendly electric steam boilers

Electric steam boilers are a popular choice for business owners who want to make their company greener. Because they are powered by electricity, these steam boilers emit no pollutants. Owning an electric steam boiler can increase your overall operating costs more than a gas-fired or oil-fired steam boiler would, but an electric steam boiler is simpler and easier to use than its counterparts.

I recommend: Browse an inventory of electric steam boilers at Sussman Electric Boilers. The company offers equipment ranging from a micro steam boiler to large commercial steam boilers. If you're searching for a residential steam boiler, Reimers Electra Steam has an inventory of electric steam boilers designed for residential use, as well as commercial and industrial electric steam boilers.

Find low pressure steam boilers

Low pressure steam boilers are ideal for heating applications. Whether you're managing an apartment building, hospital, office building or school, a low pressure steam boiler will efficiently heat the building. If you're heating a campus or health care facility with multiple buildings, a modular steam boiler for each building is a must.

I recommend: A low pressure steam boiler from TRIAD Boiler Systems are ready to install directly from the package. Order modular steam boilers, which can be linked together, from the company to keep your multiple buildings' heating units functioning as one. Ajax Boiler offers low pressure steam boilers that use a tube bundle assembly, which floats freely as it expands and contracts to prevent thermal shock damage.

Buy a commercial steam boiler with your preferred firing option

Steam boilers can be fired by gas, propane, light oil or a combination of oil and gas. Before you purchase a steam boiler, make sure you're comfortable with its firing option, as well as the cost to fuel it.

I recommend: Parker Industrial Boiler manufactures steam boilers with a variety of firing options, including propane, gas, light oil and an oil/gas combination. The company offers small steam boilers as well as large industrial boilers. Bryan Steam has an inventory of steam boilers with forced draft gas, oil and dual-oil firing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The size of steam boilers varies greatly, and the amount of power isn't always indicative on their size. Before you order a steam boiler, measure the amount of space you have to house it, as well as the doorway you'll need to fit it through.

Steam boilers pricing and costs include the initial price on the equipment, operating and maintenance costs. The primary component of a steam boiler's operating cost is typically power consumption, so modern boilers are designed with heating efficiency in mind. The time required to heat the water to its operating temperature is an important performance factor and other considerations include the footprint of the boiler, installation and life cycle costs.

A steam boiler may be any device which produces steam by boiling water, usually under pressure. There are a variety of commercial and private applications for a steam boiler such as one of the following categories:

1. Low pressure steam boilers for the kitchen. These boilers are commonly used in restaurants as a substitute for stock-pot cooking.

2. Industrial steam boilers for dry-cleaning. These boilers may be used to steam-clean clothing directly or operate steam irons.

3. A commercial steam boiler for transportation. These boilers may provide the power for steam engines in cars and trains.

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

Research prices on electric steam boilers for restaurants

Restaurants frequently use small steam boilers as a means of slow cooking. These appliances typically include other accessories and serve as a multi-function kitchen station.

I recommend: Restaurant Source provides prices on direct steam boilers that range from $7,000 to $14,000. SuiteSupply offers sale prices on a variety of commercial boilers for restaurants, such as a steamer/kettle combination for about $23,000.

Locate steam boiler prices for dry cleaning

Dry cleaners need a reliable source of steam to operate their cleaning systems. These boilers are frequently designed for reduced energy costs and floor space.

I recommend: Living Comforts offers a 1.4 liter steam boiler ironing system on sale for about $400. 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com offers a professional steam boiler for dry cleaning for about $1300.

Examine prices on steam boilers for steam engines

Hobbyists and businesses frequently construct custom locomotives and cars that run on steam power. These boilers typically come from used locomotives and may also be custom-built.

I recommend: Hit & Miss Enterprises has a steam-powered car with a 100 pounds per square inch (psi) boiler for $4500. Ridge Locomotive Works provides its current prices on the design, manufacture and repair of locomotive steam boilers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A boiler usually refers to devices which produce only moderate pressure of less than 300 psi. Modern locomotive and steam car boilers typically produce greater pressure and are more commonly called steam generators. Super critical steam generators are used to generate commercial electrical power and produce pressures of more than 3200 psi. These devices should not be called boilers since these pressures are well above the critical pressure that would allow bubbles to form in the water. There is no water-steam separation and no boiling actually occurs.