For large buildings, a boiler feeding storage tanks is often the most reliable way to deliver domestic hot water. Progressive designs, installs and services these systems as part of our commercial water heating specialty.
Domestic hot water boilers, not space heating
This page covers boilers that make hot water for taps, showers, kitchens and laundries, usually paired with storage tanks or indirect water heaters. Boilers that heat the building itself through radiators, air handlers or radiant floors are a heating system, and our HVAC division covers them on the commercial heating boilers page. Many buildings have both, and Progressive services both under one agreement.
Why a boiler-and-storage system
When the load is large and continuous, a boiler with properly sized storage delivers stable temperature through the peak and recovers fast. It is the standard approach in hotels, hospitals, senior living, student housing, high-rise multifamily and commercial laundries, and it is straightforward to make redundant so a single failure never takes the building down.
What Progressive does
- Load calculation, boiler and storage sizing, and redundancy planning.
- Installation of condensing and non-condensing hot water boilers, storage tanks, indirect heaters, pumps, mixing valves and controls.
- Replacement of aging boilers, often with high-efficiency condensing equipment that cuts gas use.
- Maintenance agreements: combustion analysis, safety checks, water treatment, and inspection records for your files.
- 24/7 repair, with temporary hot water available when a boiler is down for more than a few hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a water heater and a hot water boiler?
A water heater heats and usually stores potable water in one unit. A hot water boiler heats water (or a separate loop) that then heats potable water in storage tanks or an indirect heater. Boilers scale better for very large loads.
Can one boiler do both domestic hot water and building heat?
Some systems are designed that way. It requires the right controls and heat exchangers; we can evaluate whether a combined system makes sense for your building.
Do you handle annual inspections and reports?
Yes. Our maintenance agreements include the checks and the documentation most facilities need.
Call (877) 325-0180 or request a proposal. Commercial plumbing crews are on call 24/7 across Raleigh, Durham and the Triangle.
Reviews
Trusted by your neighbors
Review from Ashley S., Durham
Ashley S., Durham
I called Progressive because of storm/tree damage, which took out both my power and caused my water main to burst. Progressive could do both. From my initial call to the arrival of the electrician and plumber, I couldn’t have been more pleased. … I would use them again and highly recommend them for your ‘mechanical’ needs.
Review from Wendy L.
Wendy L.
Everything was taken care of today. They were just amazing. They got everything done real quick, no mess, real polite. They were just awesome. … The best news we’ve had since we’ve moved into this house.
Review from Lee & George H., Wake Forest
Lee & George H., Wake Forest
We really appreciate the extra time, phone calls to the supplier, and careful reading of the instructions to do the job right. Gilbert expressed his philosophy as ‘doing the job the way he would want it done in his own home.’ Once again, we are most pleased with the professional and courteous service your company provides.