by Shane Henson — March 16, 2012—Reducing energy costs through all means possible has become important to companies around the world, and, as new guides by the U.K.-based Carbon Trust detail, improving the efficiency of a building’s hot water boilers can help save energy and money.
According to the Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit company providing specialist support to help business and the public sector cut carbon emissions and save energy, heating and hot water accounts for over one third of U.K. organizations’ energy consumption and up to 60 percent of the carbon emissions from some U.K. industrial processes, such as food production and laundering, where demand for steam or hot water is high. However, it is possible to cut heating costs by up to 30 percent by implementing some simple boiler-related energy saving measures, as well as to make immediate energy savings of 10 percent through better maintenance and low-cost improvements, such as installing insulation and retrofitting controls, says the Carbon Trust.
This and other information on boilers can be found in the organization’s new Steam and High Temperature Hot Water Boilers (CTV052) and Low Temperature Hot Water Boilers (CTV051) guides, which are part of the Carbon Trust’s Expert in Energy series.
Top tips from the guides include:
- Carry out boiler maintenance: Over time, mechanical components can become worn, which can affect combustion efficiency. Therefore burners and their controls need to be checked at regular intervals and adjusted as necessary.
- Minimize heat losses: Keep boiler insulation in good condition. All pipework, valves, flanges and fittings in the boilerhouse should be adequately insulated, and valve mats/covers should be replaced after maintenance work.
- Implement effective water treatment: The presence of impurities and contaminants in water make treatment and conditioning regimes essential to provide water of a suitable quality for the effective operation of steam boiler plant and systems.
- Produce a maintenance manual: Detail records of work done, the person responsible, and when they were completed. The formalization of maintenance in this manner should help ensure that tasks are carried out at the correct frequency and will highlight ongoing problems.
- Consult your boiler manufacturer: Find out what the recommended TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level is and compare this with your current operating regime.
- Consider boiler replacement: In the longer term, if a boiler is more than 15 years old, or if it is showing signs of inefficient operation, it may need replacing. Capacity/size requirements, boiler compatibility and financial and environmental impact must all be considered in the process.
- Minimize heat losses: Keep boiler insulation in good condition. All pipework, valves, flanges and fittings in the boilerhouse should be adequately insulated, and valve mats/covers should be replaced after maintenance work.
