When it comes to industrial heat and steam generation, no two boilers are exactly alike. Every facility has its own demands, energy source limitations, space constraints, and production goals. That’s why understanding the major types of boilers—Electric Boilers, Firetube Boilers, Hot Water Boilers, Low-Pressure Boilers, and Watertube Boilers—can make a big difference when selecting the right equipment.
Whether you’re expanding your operation, replacing aging equipment, or filling a critical gap while you wait on a new OEM unit, here’s a clear, human-friendly breakdown of how these boiler types differ and where each one shines.
Electric Boilers:
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What they are:
Electric boilers use electrical resistance to heat water and generate either hot water or steam—no combustion, no gas lines, and no stacks.
Best for:
Facilities with limited access to fossil fuels, operations needing zero-emission heat, or environments where quiet, clean operation is essential.
Key benefits:
- Ultra-quiet and extremely clean
- High efficiency (no flue losses)
- Smaller footprint
- Ideal for indoor or sensitive environments
Firetube Boilers:
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Link to Boilers
What they are:
Firetube boilers send hot combustion gases through tubes that run through water. They’re one of the most common boiler designs found in industrial and commercial applications.
Best for:
Steady, lower-pressure steam demands and general-purpose heating.
Key benefits:
- Straightforward design and easy maintenance
- Lower initial cost
- Excellent for moderate steam loads
- Good for facilities needing reliable, consistent steam
Hot Water Boilers:
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Link to Boilers
What they are:
These boilers heat water for closed-loop systems—often for HVAC, sanitation, or process heating—without producing steam.
Best for:
Food plants, hospitality, schools, hydronic heating, and equipment wash-down systems.
Key benefits:
- Safer and simpler than steam systems
- Energy efficient for building heating
- Lower operating pressures
- Wide range of sizes for small to industrial applications
Low-Pressure Boilers:
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Link to Boilers
What they are:
Designed to operate at safe, low steam pressures (typically under 15 psi) or lower hot water pressures, these boilers are used in environments where safety and simplicity take priority.
Best for:
Breweries, laundries, food prep areas, and facilities that don’t require high-pressure steam.
Key benefits:
- Safer operation
- Lower licensing requirements in many regions
- Reduced risk and maintenance needs
- Ideal for light industrial steam production
Watertube Boilers:
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Link to Boilers
What they are:
Watertube boilers send water through tubes surrounded by combustion gases—essentially the opposite of firetube design. They handle high pressures and rapid steam demands.
Best for:
Large industrial plants, high-pressure steam needs, and operations requiring fast response time.
Key benefits:
- Extremely high steam output
- Handles very high pressures
- Efficient heat transfer
- Quick startup and rapid load adjustment
- Why Choose Genemco for Industrial Boilers?
At Genemco, we understand that downtime is expensive and lead times can be even more painful. That’s why we specialize in high-quality used boilers—firetube, watertube, electric, low-pressure, hot water, and more—ready to ship when you need them.
Here’s what sets us apart:
✔ Massive Inventory, Ready to Move
We stock top brands so your operation doesn’t have to sit and wait for months.
✔ Cost-Effective & Reliable
Our equipment is inspected, tested, before we ship it to you—giving you performance without the price tag of brand-new.
✔ Your Partner, Not Your Competitor
If you’re an OEM, we want to be your ally—not the company that gets in the way of your sale.
We want to make you the hero. When a customer is waiting on long OEM lead times, consider Genemco your “bandaid or tourniquet”—a temporary solution that keeps your customer running, happy, and loyal to you.
✔ Human Help, Not Corporate Runaround
We’re a family-owned business that answers the phone, knows the equipment, and genuinely cares. If you need a steam solution, a heating system, or guidance choosing the right boiler, we're here to help every step of the way.
Lastly, every boiler type has its place—electric for clean environments, firetube for steady output, hot water for building systems, low-pressure for safety, and watertube for high-power industrial production. But no matter which you need, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice uptime while waiting on new equipment. That’s where Genemco comes in.
We’re here to keep your operation moving, your customers satisfied, and your workflow stress-free.
