Saving Advice Boilers and boiler plants
Saving Advice Boilers and boiler plants
There are many different types of boiler, but in simple terms they fall into two broad categories: water-circulation boilers, commonly found on space heating systems, and steam boilers, used in industry and larger buildings such as hospitals.
Key Measures
- Modern boilers are significantly more efficient than older designs. If your boiler plant is approaching 20 years old or more, you should seriously be thinking of replacement. When replacing water-circulation boilers, condensing models should be considered. These are more efficient in particular applications.
- Boilers lose energy via the flue gases, the boiler casing and, for steam boilers only, blowdown. The heat distribution system that a boiler serves can also be a significant source of inefficiency.
- Optimum combustion of the boiler fuel is important for both efficiency and safety reasons. It is vital that all air vents are kept clear.
Practical Tips
Your plant should be checked regularly for leaks (from pipework, valves, flanges and the boiler itself). If feed and expansion tanks are often filling, then a significant leak is likely.
Boilers should be professionally serviced at least once a year. This should include cleaning of burners, a check on combustion efficiency and adjustment of air/fuel ratio for optimum efficiency in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Check that your boilers are adequately insulated. If fitting additional insulation, ensure that this does not interfere with the burner or air supply to the boiler.
In multi-boiler installations, ensure that boilers are not running at part load unnecessarily. Sequencing controls, if not already fitted, should be considered.
Insulate piping, valves, flanges and other fittings on steam and hot-water distribution systems. Heat loss from these areas reduces efficiency by a typical 10%, and insulating them is one of the most cost-effective measures that can be taken.
In steam systems, maximising the return of condensate to the boiler saves both energy and water treatment costs. If condensate is unnecessarily going to drain seek specialist help.
Further information on boilers
- The Combustion Engineering Association - www.cea.org.uk