What is a boiler?

A boiler is a heating appliance that is used to heat water, which is then circulated throughout a piping system in a building. The heated water passes through some form of emitter, which will transfer the heat from the water into the building. The cooler water then returns to the boiler to be reheated. A boiler can be designed to heat the water using a variety of different energy sources, including natural gas, liquid propane, fuel oil, or electricity.