4 Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Your Facility’s Boiler

August 6, 2019

Commercial boilers are responsible for heating about one-quarter of all commercial floor space including offices, schools, apartment buildings and hospitals. They are also instrumental in industrial environments including utilities, chemical, oil, and gas companies, just to name a few. Depending on your industry, your boiler may be subject to EPA regulations. Whether yours falls under NESHAP rules, we have recommendations on four ways you can increase the efficiency of your facility’s boiler.

Annual Inspections

Boiler inspections are your first, best preventative care that both saves you money and helps keep your boiler operating at optimal efficiency. You want to rely upon a boiler service company that has a team with the qualifications and the manpower to take care of your needs. When it is called for, your boiler inspection is coordinated with your insurance inspector and water treatment company. Since boilers and pressure vessels may be subject to work practice standards, you may also coordinate tune ups and energy assessments with your annual inspection team.

Boiler Maintenance

Boiler inspection starts with a proper lockout procedure. This is to ensure safety for anyone involved. Once drained, the boiler fireside and waterside are opened so that the furnace can be cleaned. At this time, repairs can be made should there be any cracks detected. It is essential to stay on top of hand holes, cross plugs and gaskets. There is always an accumulation of soot and carbon deposits that should be cleaned in the furnace, refractory and fire tubes. Further inspection for any adverse issues helps to keep your boiler operating in its best condition.

Burner Service

The burner has elements that must be maintained in their best working order. You want the correct levels of fuel and oxygen and the properly controlled mix for maximum efficiency. Service includes cleaning the burner, diffuser, air damper, oil nozzle, and pilot assembly. Other parts that should be cleaned include the oil and gas train parts and the oil strainer. Other fine-tuning, like burner service, along with a combustion analysis performed by experienced service technicians ensures your boiler continues to operate at peak performance. You also get a written post maintenance report for your records.

Tune up and Safety Check

Operational checks made to the flame safeguard control, fuel valves and interlock controls allows for any necessary adjustments. Test firing the system at operating temperature or pressure allows the unit to cycle off and then automatically restart. This process includes reviewing the boiler room operator reports in order to check for normal operation of safety devices. All operating controls are checked including the main flame, pilot flame, high-temp limit, shutdown and recycle, high- and low-pressure cut-offs, auxiliary contacts on motor starter, all switches, low-water cut-off with the evaporation test, and much more.

See what a preventative maintenance program can do for your commercial boiler and how much it can save you in expense and effort to meet EPA standards. For all that you expect from your boiler, think of the time and expense you can save when you contract with a professional company that takes care of these checks and balances for you. You will also save on parts and service, so it is a win-win situation.

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