How To Test Boiler's Energy Efficiency

With a piece of equipment as important as a boiler, energy efficiency is key. Energy efficiency directly affects the cost of boiler fuel. For this reason, testing the energy efficiency of your industrial boiler should be part of routine maintenance.

Typically, the best way to test the efficiency of a steam boiler is by installing a set of meters to measure each part of the process. There will be a meter measuring steam, a meter tracking the speed of the water moving into the boiler, and a meter on the fuel that’s heating the boiler. Taking these measurements can determine the efficiency of any boiler system.

For instance, measuring how many pounds of steam are coming out of a boiler and comparing it to the amount of natural gas needed to produce that steam is a way to calculate the efficiency of the boiler. If we make this calculation on a regular basis and the number begins to change or fluctuate, it means the efficiency of boiler is changing, most likely in the wrong direction.

Another element of a boiler’s efficiency is its steam traps. When heat leaves steam, it turns into condensation that gets collected by steam traps and sent back to the boiler. However, if the steam traps are not functioning as well as they should be, that condensation isn’t utilized as it could be, making the boiler less efficient.

Fortunately, in addition to frequent testing, proper maintenance can help ensure that a boiler maximizes its efficiency. ZBG can help you calculate boiler efficiency, boiler cost and boiler fuel consumption. If you have these problems, you can contact our online customer service, and we will reply to you as soon as possible.