Indirect Water Heaters

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Indirect Water Heater Service Across Rhode Island

An indirect fired water heating system uses hot water from your boiler to heat the domestic water used in your home. C.W. Cummings Plumbing provides service for indirect water heaters and boiler connected hot water systems across Rhode Island.

How Indirect Water Heaters Work

Many oil heated homes use an indirect fired system. An indirect system may work with a hot water boiler or a steam boiler. The system uses your home's heating equipment to heat domestic water.

Indirect water heating systems come in several common configurations. The right service depends on the equipment already installed in your home.

01

Internal Tankless Coil

An internal tankless coil sits inside the boiler's water jacket. Domestic water passes through the coil and picks up heat from the boiler water. This setup does not include a separate hot water storage tank, so the boiler needs to stay hot enough to heat domestic water as it passes through the coil.

02

External Tankless Coil

An external indirect system includes a separate storage tank with an internal coil. The storage tank connects to the boiler. Some systems use a plate heat exchanger instead. A plate heat exchanger uses a series of plates with separate pathways for boiler water and domestic water.

03

Tankless Coil With Storage Tank

A tankless coil with a storage tank is sometimes called an Aqua Booster. Water is heated through the system's coil and stored in a vertical tank. A recirculating loop can move water back through the coil to maintain the stored hot water temperature.

Get Help With Your Indirect System

Indirect water heater systems can look different from one home to the next. If you are not sure which setup you have, request service and add a photo of the equipment. C.W. Cummings Plumbing can help you understand the system and plan the appropriate service.

Some installations need a tempering valve, also called an anti scald control, to help manage water temperature. Our team can review the existing setup during service.

Indirect-Fired Water Heater FAQs

An indirect water heater uses heat from your home’s boiler to heat the domestic hot water used for showers, sinks, laundry, and other daily needs. The boiler heats water that moves through a coil or heat exchanger, transferring heat to your home’s hot water supply.

Common setups include an internal tankless coil, an external tankless coil with a separate storage tank, and a tankless coil with a storage tank. A storage tank system is also called an Aqua Booster. C.W. Cummings Plumbing can help identify the system installed in your home.

No hot water, slow recovery, changing water temperature, or a system that cannot keep up with demand can point to a problem with the boiler, coil, circulator, storage tank, control, or related plumbing. Our team can inspect the equipment and help you understand the next step.
A tempering valve, also called an anti scald control, helps manage the temperature of water delivered to fixtures in the home. Some indirect water heating systems use this type of control. C.W. Cummings Plumbing can review your existing setup during service.

Join the CW Cummings Membership Program Today!

Whether you’re looking to protect your entire plumbing system or keep your water heater running reliably, CW Cummings Plumbing’s Membership & Maintenance Clubs offer a smarter, more proactive approach to home plumbing care.

To learn more or enroll, call (401) 828-7730 or click below to ask about membership options. Our team will walk you through the benefits and help you choose the right plan for your home.

CW Cummings Plumbing Co. Reviews

Hear From Our Happy Customers

Top rated
C W Cummings Plumbing4.8
Based on 145 reviews
Karen Beese
1 week ago
Matteo and Joe did an excellent job installing my new water heater. They were friendly and professional. They took time to explain all that they were doing. CW Cummings answered my request for service quickly. Dee was also very helpful over the phone. Highly recommended!
Renee Hampshire
2 weeks ago
Unfortunately, when pluming problems arise. Rest assured CW Cummings will be there when contacted and they will be on time! Mateo and Joseph were efficient and helpful. Mateo gave some great suggestions to rectify the issues. Very knowledgeable as well. Go local, call them!
Ann Barber
1 month ago
Michael Tedeschi
1 month ago
I had some PEX fittings corroding and leaking from a different plumbing company. I was referred to Cummings from my well company and saw the positive reviews so decided to try. I was extremely satisfied with the all aspects of the process from the front office/scheduling (Dee) to the plumbing service quality and cost. Mateo was prompt/on time, extremely knowledgeable, and thorough. While doing the repairs he inspected the rest of the plumbing and recommended a shut off valve improvement so if the tankless water heater goes down it could be isolated so the rest of the house could run. My expectations for the service, quality, and cost were all exceeded and I would highly recommend their services. Thank you Dee, Mateo, and Cumming's Plumbing! MikeT
Happy Cat71
2 months ago
Matteo and Joe were phenomenal. Professional, knowledgeable, respectful, and courteous. We will definitely call again for plumbing needs. Thank you
Rosemary P
2 months ago
Matteo and Joe were courteous, professional, and great at explaining the pros and cons of different options in a way that is easy to understand. Fair price and great service!
Nice technician, wonderful service. Seemed very eager to help. I am truly sorry I couldn't afford it.
Nancy Weekley
3 months ago
We were very pleased with the response we received from CW Cummings. Matteo our technician was on time , professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Our issue was addressed along with other concerns. We look forward to working with CW Cummings in the future.
John Richards
3 months ago
Great service provided by CW Cummings. We had a problem with a toilet flange that needed to be replaced. Matteo did an excellent job on the repair and rebuilding the toilet itself. Very clean with attention to detail. He also performed a whole house inspection and made a couple of recommendations with a quote to do the work. There were not any pressing issues and there was no pressure to have this additional work done. Overall fantastic experience and will definitely be using them again in the future.
Jason DeAngelis
3 months ago
Abigail Windley
3 months ago
Ken was fantastic! He came out to troubleshoot a dishwasher backup issue, patiently tested the drainage and walked me through everything until we determined repiping was the solution. He gave me a fair, upfront price that included the service fee to come to Warwick and was able to complete the repair right then and there—no second appointment needed. He was knowledgeable, clean, polite, and genuinely took the time to listen and educate me. Highly recommend Ken and CW Cummings for honest, thorough, and professional plumbing work!
Lesley Bietz
3 months ago
Thank you. Look forward to using you again. Very skilled and nice plumber/serviceman.
Denise Richtarik
3 months ago
I had water on my basement floor. Matteo was able to pinpoint my problem in a flash. Excellent !
Kristen D'Aguanno
3 months ago
Kathleen Brown
3 months ago
Ken was hardworking, informative, and very thorough with all my questions. The pricing was very fair and reasonable. He did a phenomenal job and the work he did was excellent!
Joyce Thornton
3 months ago
Very professional and helpful.
tricia tuchon
4 months ago
Excellent work and customer service. Matteo was very professional and neat.
Trish M
4 months ago
Highly recommended. Ken was polite and professional. He helped us make the right choices and was able to schedule us for a same day repair when our water heater quit unexpectedly. He also did a great job repairing our shower on a separate call. We will call CW Cummings for all our plumbing needs.
Patricia Acton
4 months ago
Matteo Picozzi was very informative and helpful,would recommend this company,very professional.
Robert Godwin
4 months ago
Matteo did a great job repairing my shower faucet as well as flushing the hot water heater. He also provided helpful advice on filtration systems to remove unwanted sediment.
Susan Gourd
4 months ago
Great technician explaining everything. Problem was solved within a few hours after arrival. Complimentary inspection of the houses systems included in service fee. Nothing forced just suggested. Matteo Picozzi was excellent.
Jo Anne Robitaille
4 months ago
Mateo was a very nice guy. He knew what he was talking about. Very polite, etc. I would definitely get back to him if there is a problem. Jo Anne R.
Norman Benoit
5 months ago
Service guy was great explain everything have back again hope same guy is still there ty Norm
John O'Brien
5 months ago
Matteo was polite and well versed in all matters plumbing. 👍

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