Steam leaks can cost big bucks in a month. A 1/8” leak at 100 psig will cost you $525.00 per month. If you have ten leaks in the size range, that is over $5,000 per month.
Steam leaks are caused by carbonic acid which is formed when carbon dioxide reacts with hot water. This acid eats away at piping components such as nipples, valve packing, and other joints to form leaks. Carbonic acid is caused by deaerator malfunctions or improperly selected steam traps.
Steam traps are not a commodity fitting to be purchased without considering the application requirements in your facility. Over the forty one years I have spent in this industry, knowledgeable people have been replaced by marketing types intent on a sale and fast commission. One blowing 1/2” trap will cost your facility $550.00 per month. Losses on larger size traps will escalate at an exponential rate.
Condensate not returned costs you $14.60 per 1,000 gallons of make up water added to your system. If your water make up is 5,000 gallons per day 20 production days per month, the cost of this lost condensate is $1,460.00 per month.
Blowing roof vents, condensate down the drain, leaks, bypass valves open can easily rob you of 15% of your fuel bill or more.
Older boilers, due to the nature of boiler improvements in the past 10 years, can cost you another 10-20% of your fuel bill. Recognize that if you have a 1960’s boiler in great condition, you have the equivalent of a car of that era compared to a new car in terms of fuel efficiency and ease of operation.
Add it up and cutting your fuel bill by a large amount can be accomplished with a payback of 3-18 months for most steam systems. We provide complete steam system reviews at a reasonable cost and a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the results of my report and suggestions. You are already writing a large check to your natural gas and oil vendors. You will be dollars ahead to carefully review your current steam system. Call for details on our steam system reviews and reports.
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