Boilers are fuel-burning appliances that produce either hot water or steam that gets circulated through piping for heating or process uses. Boiler systems are major financial investments, yet the methods for protecting these investments vary widely. Proper maintenance and operation of boiler systems is important with regard to efficiency and reliability. Without this attention, boilers can be very dangerous.
Energy Efficiency Tip
Operate boilers at peak efficiency. Plants having two or more boilers can save energy by operating the boilers using load management to obtain a combined peak system efficiency.
Cost Savings Tip
Install a waste heat recovery system. Stack loss for boilers without recovery systems can be about 18% on gas-fired systems and about 12% for oil- and coal-fired boilers. Waste heat recovery systems can produce operational cost savings.
Maintenance Tip
Use diagnostic tools to identify operational efficiencies and areas for improvement. Such diagnostic tools can assist the maintenance and operational decision-making process. Please visit our Tool Box to learn about two types of tools.
Safety Tip
Ensure proper equipment maintenance and operator training to reduce the possibility of injuries. Always keep the boiler room clean and clear of all unnecessary items. The boiler room should never be used as an all-purpose strorage area. Proper air circulation is essential to prevent incomplete fuel combustion.