Electricity is run through a heating element that acts as a resistor to create heat through resistance. Water from the system or holding tank is then run over or near this hot element in a pipe or tank, heating the water to a suitable temperature, then making the water hot enough to boil and become saturated steam,[1] at which point the saturated steam is transported to wherever it is needed via the steam pipes that exit the body of the electric boiler. Electric steam boilers work in a very similar way to fire heated boilers with the exception of what heats the water.