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Writer's pictureAllison Hamilton

A Guide to 4 Popular HVAC Boiler Fuels

There are multiple fuel options for commercial boilers in the HVAC industry. What are 4 types that could be beneficial to you? Pick a card, any card, and find out!

If you picked card #1, then you chose a cost-effective and widely available fuel for boilers. Card #1 represents natural gas.

In the HVAC industry, natural gas is widely used for boilers because it’s convenient, easy to control, and efficient. Compared to other fuels, natural gas produces fewer emissions because it’s a cleaner-burning fossil fuel. Natural gas can provide consistent heat quickly which makes it a top choice for commercial heating.

Riello manufactures commercial and industrial boilers that can run on different fuels including natural gas. As a trusted representative for Riello, Hoffman Hydronics is skilled in helping our customers customize the right boiler systems for their needs. Contact your local Hoffman Hydronic branch to get the right natural gas boiler for your needs.

If card #2 caught your eye, then you chose a boiler fuel that has a high energy density and is suitable for older boilers. Card #2 represents heating oil, also known as fuel oil.

This option for boiler fuel is commonly used in areas with limited access to natural gas. Boilers that use heating oil as fuel are known for using their fuel efficiently and having a powerful heat production. Using oil to fuel your HVAC boiler does require storage tanks and fuel deliveries, and one thing to note is that this fuel has a higher carbon emission that natural gas.

Our manufacturer Unilux, has high performance commercial/ industrial boiler units that can be fueled by oil, gas, or a combination of the two. See their options here!

If you skipped past cards 1 & 2 and found yourself drawn to Card #3, then you chose an option that combines parts of the two fuels above. This card represents propane as boiler fuel.

Propane is another popular fuel option for HVAC boilers. Like oil, this option is mainly used in areas with limited access to natural gas. Similar to natural gas, propane is efficient and convenient to use. With propane boilers providing consistent heat output, you might consider this boiler fuel option if your infrastructure isn’t suited for natural gas, and you want to keep your carbon emissions lower than that of a boiler that is fueled by oil.

Hoffman Hydronics is proud to represent Raypak, an industry leading boiler manufacturer. Our team can help you choose the right gas-powered boiler for optimal efficiency in your commercial space.

And last, but not least, if you picked card #4 then you might just be picking the boiler fuel of the future. Card #4 represents biomass, which is a renewable alternative fuel that’s been gaining popularity in the HVAC industry.

Biomass fuels include things like wood chips, wood pellets, and even agricultural residues (parts of crops leftover on fields after harvest like straw). Boilers that use biomass as fuel utilize organic materials which is great for the environment because it reduces carbon emissions and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. With biomass boilers offering sustainable and environmentally friendly heating solutions for commercial buildings, we will likely see a greater shift towards this type of boiler fuel in the future.

The video above shows you how biomass fuel can be used in a boiler system.

Superior Boiler offers a cutting-edge commercial boiler that runs on biomass. Our team can incorporate alternative energy systems like this into a custom design for your commercial or industrial building.

There are numerous factors to consider when deciding which type of boiler your system needs. To explore which fuel options would be best suited for your commercial HVAC boiler system, contact us today and let us help you with system efficiency.

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