How does a boiler work?

A boiler is a relatively simple appliance, but will always include a few key components – a heat exhanger, burner, circulator (aka: pump), and some type of control system. When the building where the boiler is installed cools off, a control will tell the boiler to start. The pump (or pumps) will turn on to begin circulating water through the boiler and the building, and the burner will ignite to heat the water. The boiler control will operate to maintain the outgoing water at the temperature required for the application. As the heated water passes through the building, the rooms will warm up to a point where the control will turn the boiler off.