Take advantage of heating maintenance and energy-efficient upgrades to enjoy greater comfort and potential energy cost savings.
Itap that time of year; when falling temperatures lead businesses to kick on their heating systems and make sure they are ready for the colder days to come. Businesses can anticipate a rise in their energy use, but by finding energy efficiencies in their heating equipment they can help ease seasonal increases in operating budgets.
Large businesses are often heated by boiler and steam systems, which provide effective heating throughout a facility but need to be tuned and maintained to deliver optimal performance. Any inefficiencies can waste energy and money and lead to uneven temperatures throughout the space for customers and employees.
Heating maintenance is vital for optimizing efficiency and extending the life of your systems
Heating system maintenance, such as boiler tune-ups and steam trap repair, is an easy and effective way to optimize efficiency and savings. Regular maintenance, including tune-ups, is especially important. Keeping the system working well reduces wear and tear, helping a business get the full value out of its existing system and extending the time between expensive major repairs or replacement.
While many businesses make maintenance part of an annual routine, business owners should also be on the lookout for tell-tale signs the boiler may need attention. These include:
- Inconsistent temperatures across the building
- Increasing numbers of new repairs needed each year
- The haunting sounds of rattles and creaks in the system
Good maintenance practices also lead businesses to other system optimization opportunities, revealing more potential energy efficiency practices.
Take on energy-saving tactics, large and small
If your boiler issues go beyond the scope of what a simple tune-up can fix, you may need to consider a bigger investment – but it could also realize bigger savings. Some of the things you can do that will offer a more dramatic impact are:
- Upgrading to an energy-efficient boiler.
The latest boiler technology can provide an energy efficiency rating of 81% to 92%. And that may mean a noticeable reduction in energy use, which can improve the bottom line. Another outcome may be enhanced comfort for occupants. - Installing energy-efficient unit heaters for large spaces.
Unitary heating is a single unit that provides heating, cooling and fan selection in one assembly. These are perfect for garages, warehouses or warming buildings where traditional space heating is not the most efficient or space prohibited. - Check out boiler add-ons.
A boiler inspection or tune-up may reveal opportunities to increase overall performance through add-ons, which are new pieces of equipment that can improve efficiency and performance for boilers that may still have good life left in them.
Smaller boiler system add-ons that can make a big difference
If you would like to improve the energy efficiency of your older boiler, consider these popular add-ons:
- Modulator burners to better match output with boiler requirements
ܳٻǴǰair reset controls that continually react to outdoor temperatures to optimize heating performance - Stack dampers to better modulate airflow
- Pipe insulation adds an extra measure of energy savings
- Linkageless controls on non-condensing boilers monitors the positions of all fuel- and air-control devices
How your company can save with heating rebates
You may be able to increase your return on boiler investment with rebates for equipment upgrades to reduce your up-front costs.
Xcel Energy is encouraging businesses in its gas service territories who may be considering heating improvements or need information on maintenance rebates to contact one of their Energy Advisors at 855.839.8862. Or, visit to learn more about rebates which may be available to reduce the cost of their energy-saving projects.
