There are combination space-water heating systems that use hydronic boilers instead of water heaters. The hydronic boiler transfers heat through an exchanger to heat water for your home. Please note that combination systems must be professionally designed and properly sized. When hiring a contractor to install your combination system, they must be certified by the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) for designing combination heating systems.

For more information about combination systems, visit Natural Resources Canada and the Water Heater Guide.

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.