Is a Furnace a Water Heater

Clearing up the confusion between these two essential home appliances. We explain the difference between a furnace, a boiler, and a water heater.

Distinct Appliances, Different Jobs

While both use energy to create heat, a furnace and a water heater are entirely different appliances with separate functions in your home.

The Breakdown

• Furnace: Heats air. It burns fuel (or uses electricity) to heat a heat exchanger, and a blower motor pushes the warm air through ductwork to heat your home's rooms.
• Water Heater: Heats water for domestic use. It heats water stored in a tank (or on-demand for tankless) to supply your faucets, showers, and appliances.
• Boiler: Heats water (or creates steam) for space heating. It circulates hot water through radiators or in-floor pipes to warm your home.

Most homes in Calgary have both a furnace (for space heating) and a separate water heater (for hot water).