boiler

/ˈbɔɪlə/noun

A machine that heats water or another liquid so the heat can be carried through a system.

Example sentence

“Our boiler broke down, so the house had no hot water all weekend.”

In Britain the boiler is the household heating unit, and a broken boiler in winter counts as a domestic emergency.

Related words

plumbingThe network of pipes, taps, tanks, and related fittings that carry water, gas, or waste through a building.furnaceA machine that produces heat to warm a building.wiringThe network of electrical wires in a building or device.thermostatA device that senses temperature changes and switches heating or cooling on or off to keep a room at a chosen setting.insulationMaterial fitted in a building to slow heat from escaping or entering.radiatorA device that releases heat, such as the part of a car that cools the engine or a metal unit that warms a room.