The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Integrated Condensing Steam Boiler

At the heart of every boiler heating system is the boiler itself. It's responsible for producing and sending hot water (or steam) to the radiators that then distribute heat throughout the entire home.

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Choosing the right home boiler will ensure your comfort and save money on energy bills in the long term. Many factors go into the decision, so use the guide below to learn more. If you need help, you can always call us for assistance.

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Boiler Heating System Basics

A boiler heating system consists of the following components:

• The fuel source that powers the boiler
• The boiler, which burns the fuel source to generate heat
• The heat distribution system consisting of the pipes and radiators that deliver heat throughout the home

In this guide, we're focusing on the boiler itself. If you need help selecting a radiator, please read our radiator buyer's guide.

Boiler Uses

Traditionally, boilers were used to heat an entire home via cast iron radiators installed in various rooms. Many of these same systems still exist in older homes, particularly in the northeastern United States. As a result, if you're installing a boiler, chances are you're simply replacing one in an existing system.

For those designing a boiler heating system from scratch, they're typically installing a hydronic radiant floor heating system, modern panel radiators, or even towel warmers. These often use high-efficiency condensing boilers that sometimes double as water heaters. If they provide hot water for both space and water heating, they are known as combi boilers.

Hot Water vs. Steam Boiler

Boilers can provide heat using either hot water or steam. While a hot water boiler needs a pump to move the water throughout the system, the steam from a steam boiler can flow naturally without mechanical help.

If you're replacing an existing boiler, then you'll need to identify whether it's a hot water or steam type. A steam boiler will have an air vent similar to the one shown on the right. This vent allows air to escape and steam to enter the radiator when the system first starts up. If you don't see this vent, you likely have a water boiler. 

Also, check the number of pipes connected to your radiator. Steam boiler systems usually just have a single connection, while those with two pipes could be either steam or hot water. If your home has radiant floor heat, it almost certainly uses a hot water boiler.

If you're still not sure after checking the radiators, you will need to check the boiler. Steam-fired boilers will have a small glass tube, called a sight glass, mounted on the side of the boiler. This sight glass shows the level of water inside the boiler.

Hot water boilers will not have a sight glass but are likely to have other accessories installed nearby, such as a pump or expansion tank. In some older systems, a hot water system may not have a circulator pump, and the expansion tank might be in the attic.

If, upon inspecting both your radiators and boiler, you are still unsure about what type of system you have, please contact us or call a professional to check the system.

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Boiler Fuel

There are a variety of fuel options available to power your boiler. These include natural gas, liquid propane (LP), fuel oil, and electricity.

Natural Gas Boilers

Natural gas is the most common fuel, especially in urban areas. You will most likely need a natural gas boiler if you have gas plumbed to your home from a utility main.

Propane Boiler

In areas without a natural gas supply, propane is the next most common fuel. Propane is usually stored in a tank on the property where it will be used. This tank can be located either above or underground.

Typically, you will need to have propane delivered a few times per year. Many natural gas boilers are convertible to propane, and vice versa, with an appropriate conversion kit. 

Fuel Oil Boiler

Oil is also a conventional fuel in areas where natural gas is unavailable, particularly in northeastern states and eastern Canada. As with propane, there will be a tank located on the property, and periodic fuel deliveries will be required.

In rural areas that have available wood, coal, or other biomass, solid fuel boilers may be an option. These boilers need to be manually loaded whenever a heating operation is required. They can be a huge source of savings in areas where the necessary fuel is available. Often an oil, natural gas, or propane boiler will be installed alongside a solid fuel boiler to supply heat when no one is available to load fuel.

Electric Boiler

Electric boilers are an option where other fuel types are unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Electric boilers are also useful for handling small applications, such as adding heat to a garage.

Boiler Venting

An essential part of any boiler system is to eliminate combustion gasses resulting from burning your fuel. The three main vent types are chimney venting, power venting (direct exhaust), and direct venting (sealed combustion). Choosing the correct option for your home depends on your existing boiler, your home's construction, and the efficiency you want from your new boiler.

Chimney Venting: As their name implies, chimney-vented boilers eject spent combustion gasses through a vertical stack. Each boiler will have specific requirements about the size, height, and construction of the chimney.

Only by having a qualified professional inspect your chimney can you determine whether it is suitable for a particular boiler.

Chimney venting relies on the principle that hot air is less dense than cold air, making it naturally buoyant. This warm, lighter air travels up the chimney while fresh air for combustion is pulled into the boiler to replace it.

Because this is a passive process (i.e., there is no motor forcing the hot air out), any obstruction in the chimney or an inadequate supply of fresh air will likely result in improper operation. This could potentially lead to a fire or carbon monoxide entering the home.

Power Venting: For homes without an existing chimney or homes where the existing chimney is in disrepair or inappropriate for the necessary boiler, power venting could provide a reasonable alternative. Power-vented boilers, also called direct exhaust, use a built-in blower to push spent gases outside.

The built-in blower gives you the flexibility to vent through a sidewall or the ceiling without needing to use a chimney. Also, because the air is being actively forced through the boiler, the vent piping used is substantially smaller than what is required for chimney venting. Because power-vented boilers still draw combustion air from inside the home, it is vital that there be an adequate supply of fresh air to ensure proper operation.

Direct Venting: Direct-vented boiler heating systems, also called sealed combustion, are ideal for modern, tightly-sealed homes. Direct vent boilers draw air for combustion directly from outside the house and exhaust it back outside. This means the entire combustion process is 'sealed' from the indoors, and you are not exhausting air you had already heated.

Because they do not rely on indoor air for operation, direct vent boilers can often be installed in a closet or other confined space. They can be exhausted through either a side wall or ceiling, and use venting of a similar size to power vented boilers.

Power and direct-vented boilers must be vented directly to the outdoors. They cannot be used in conventional vent systems with chimney-vented appliances, and cannot exhaust into a chimney.

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Efficiency

Home boilers are typically available in efficiency ratings ranging from 80% - 96% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). A boiler's AFUE rating estimates the percentage of fuel that is converted into usable heat for the home. By comparing AFUE ratings, you can get an idea of how much a boiler may cost to operate.

Standard Efficiency Boilers: Boiler systems with an efficiency rating of between 80% - 84% are commonly termed standard efficiency. Most boilers in this range use a cast-iron heat exchanger and chimney venting, but power-vented and direct-vent models are available.

Boilers in this range are designed to meet federal minimums for efficiency and are generally not eligible for any rebates or incentives. However, they are relatively inexpensive and use commonly available vent materials.

Due to their proven design and construction, there is little to separate boilers in this range from each other. Choosing a boiler that is correctly sized and one with which your installer is familiar is the best way to ensure efficiency and reliability from standard efficiency boilers. 

Mid-Range Efficiency Boilers: These are boilers that have had their firing characteristics slightly modified to achieve AFUE ratings of over 85%, often sacrificing output and increasing cost in the process. The purpose of these boilers is to qualify for incentives and rebates offered by certain utilities and localities.

In addition to the increase in upfront cost, these 85% AFUE boilers often require the use of costly stainless steel venting materials. We suggest avoiding these special-purpose boilers unless there is a rebate available in your area to offset the increased cost.

High-Efficiency Boilers: True high-efficiency boilers are those with an AFUE rating above 90%. Boilers in this range typically use stainless steel or aluminum heat exchangers for the best balance of efficiency and longevity.

Nearly all high-efficiency boilers are direct-vented, although some are convertible to power-vented operation. Venting materials are less common than for standard boilers but are still less expensive than the stainless steel often required for 85% AFUE models.

High-efficiency boilers have a higher upfront cost and more stringent installation requirements than standard options but can offer operating cost savings of up to 30% and a reduced impact on the environment.

Condensing Boilers

High-efficiency boiler heating systems take advantage of a process called condensing to maximize the amount of heat they can deliver to your home. This takes advantage of the chemistry of the combustion process and the energy released by condensing water vapor into liquid water.

While condensing boilers are often 10% more efficient than non-condensing models, they are better suited for some applications than others.

Condensing boilers have only recently become a common alternative to non-condensing models in the boiler marketplace. As such, the most common boiler heating systems in use today, such as ones using cast-iron or baseboard heaters, are not designed to maximize their benefits. This is because these systems were designed to operate with high temperature (~180° F) water, and the efficiency of condensing boilers is maximized with water temperatures less than 140° F.

Condensing boilers are still efficient with these high-temperature systems but lose some benefits compared to conventional boilers in those situations. Newer system types, such as radiant floor or panel radiator heating systems, are better suited for use with condensing boilers. These systems, especially radiant floor, use lower-temperature water, which maximizes the efficiency of condensing boilers.

Overall, condensing boilers are a more efficient option than non-condensing models, regardless of the application in which the boiler is being used, but their benefits are maximized when they are used in a system that was designed to operate with lower water temperatures. Learn more about condensing boilers.

Modulating & Staging

Staging boilers have two or more distinct levels of heat output called stages. The boiler will operate at the lowest stage that meets your home's heating needs. This will ensure the boiler runs longer, delivers heat more evenly, and uses less fuel than a non-staging, on/off boiler.

"Modulating" refers to a control method where a boiler can produce any output between a defined minimum and maximum level. This gives you even finer control than is possible with a staging boiler and results in constant, even heat.

A modulating boiler can maintain a nearly constant temperature and reduce fuel usage significantly by continuously adjusting to your home's heating needs. While staging is rare in residential applications, modulating controls are often built into high-efficiency condensing boilers.

By combining these two energy-saving technologies (along with other sophisticated control methods), modulating, condensing, high-efficiency boilers offer unparalleled comfort, performance, and efficiency.

Sizing Your Boiler

Even with modulating and condensing technology, a boiler can't offer consistent, efficient comfort if it is not sized correctly. If you are replacing a boiler that you were comfortable with in the past, you can likely replace it with a boiler of the same size.

However, proper sizing of heating equipment is a complicated science, so it is best to have a professional compute the sizing for you. To get a better idea of what goes into sizing a boiler and why it is so vital, check out our HVAC sizing guide.

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How Much Does a Boiler Cost?

An average boiler replacement can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 but can fall below or above that range, depending on a host of factors. Typically, boiler systems are older, which means you are often replacing more than just the boiler itself. For example, your installer may need to add new piping, valves, an expansion tank, etc. All of this doesn't even include the cost of new radiators if you need them. The cost of the boiler itself can vary substantially based on its construction, efficiency, and output. 

For a more personalized boiler cost estimate based on your specific needs, please reach out to one of our boiler experts today.

Related Covered Product Categories

Small Commercial Boilers

Residential Gas Boilers

Commercial Gas Water Heaters

Residential Gas Furnaces

Find more Heating and Cooling Equipment efficiency requirements and a full list of covered product categories >>

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides acquisition guidance for large commercial boilers, a product category covered by FEMP-designated efficiency requirements. 

FEMP's acquisition guidance and efficiency requirements apply to gas- or oil-fired, low-pressure hot water or steam boilers used in commercial space heating applications with a rated capacity above 2,500,000 and at or below 10,000,000 British thermal units per hour (Btu/h). High-pressure boilers (i.e., those used in industrial and cogeneration applications) are excluded, while residential boilers (i.e., those with a capacity less than 300,000 Btu/h) and small commercial boilers (above 300,000 Btu/h and at or below 2,500,000 Btu/h) are covered by the ENERGY STAR program.

This acquisition guidance was updated in June .

Find Product Efficiency Requirements

Federal purchases of commercial boilers must meet or exceed the minimum efficiency requirements and thermal efficiencies listed in Table 1. These efficiency levels can be voluntarily adopted by non-federal organizations, institutions, and purchasers.

Table 1. Efficiency Requirements for Large Commercial BoilersProduct ClassRated CapacityFuelHeating MediumEfficiency* (%)Large Gas-Fired Hot Water>2,500,000 Btu/h and '10,000,000 Btu/hGasHot WaterEc ' 96.0Large Gas-Fired Steam>2,500,000 Btu/h and '10,000,000 Btu/hGasSteamEt ' 83.7Large Oil-Fired Hot Water>2,500,000 Btu/h and '10,000,000 Btu/hOilHot WaterEc ' 89.0Large Oil-Fired Steam>2,500,000 Btu/h and '10,000,000 Btu/hOilSteamEt ' 85.8*Both thermal efficiency (Et) and combustion efficiency (Ec) are based on 10 CFR Part 431.86 - Uniform test method for the measurement of energy efficiency of commercial packaged boilers.

With the Clean Energy Rule finalized in Spring , federal agencies must significantly reduce the use of on-site fossil fuels in new and majorly renovated facilities used for federal purposes. From FY to FY , federal entities must reduce the use of fossil fuels by 90% in facilities that are newly constructed or undergoing major renovation (exceeding a total cost threshold of $3.8 million in dollars for federally owned buildings). To comply, contracting officers should avoid purchases of commercial fossil fuel-fired boilers. Federal buyers are encouraged to consult the Clean Energy Rule webpage for further guidance. If no technically practicable alternative to a fossil-fueled product can be found that meets the mission requirements of the agency, an agency may obtain guidance, or request technical assistance, or petition for downward adjustment of the fossil fuel reduction target from FEMP by contacting the Clean Energy Rule team.

FEMP has calculated that a 3,000,000 Btu/h gas-fired hot water commercial boiler meeting the required combustion efficiency level of 96.0% Ec saves money if priced no more than $59,703 above the base model. The best available model saves the average user more: $66,839 in lifetime energy costs. Table 2 compares three types of product purchases and calculates the lifetime cost savings of purchasing efficient models. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective.

Table 2. Lifetime Savings for Efficient 3,000,000 Btu/h Gas-Fired, Hot Water BoilersPerformanceBest AvailableRequired ModelBase ModelCombustion Efficiency98.0%96.0%82.0%Annual Energy Use (therms/yr)35,,,000Annual Energy Cost ($/yr)$29,808$30,429$35,625Lifetime Energy Cost (25 year)$342,552$349,689$409,392Lifetime Energy Cost Savings$66,839$59,703======

• Performance Column

  Annual Energy Use: 1,400 full-load hours per year, for 25 years.

  Annual Energy Cost: Calculated based on an assumed natural gas price of 8.48¢ per therm, which is the average price at federal facilities in the United States (Site-Delivered Energy Use by End-Use Sector and Energy Type in Fiscal Year ).

  Lifetime Energy Cost: Future electricity price trends and a 3% discount rate are from the Energy Price Indices and Discount Factors for Life-Cycle Cost Analysis ' : Annual Supplement to NIST Handbook 135 and NBS Special Publication 709 (NISTIR 85--39).

  Lifetime Energy Cost Savings: The difference between the lifetime energy cost of the less efficient model and the lifetime energy cost of the required model or best available model.

  Best Available Model Column

  Calculated based on highest efficiency model identified in publicly provided manufacturer data as of June . Note that more efficient models may be introduced to the market after FEMP's acquisition guidance is posted.

  Required Model Column

  Calculated based on FEMP-designated efficiency requirements. Federal agencies must purchase products that meet or exceed FEMP-designated efficiency levels.

  Base Model Column

  Calculated based on the current federal minimum efficiency standard for this product type.

Determine When FEMP-Designated Products Are Cost-Effective

An efficient product is cost-effective when the lifetime energy savings (from avoided energy costs over the life of the product, discounted to present value) exceed the additional up-front cost (if any) compared to a less efficient option. FEMP considers up-front costs and lifetime energy savings when setting required efficiency levels. Federal purchasers can assume products that meet FEMP-designated efficiency requirements are life cycle cost-effective. In high-use applications or when energy rates are above the federal average, purchasers may save more if they specify products that exceed FEMP efficiency requirements (e.g., the best available model).

Purchasing Requirements

Federal laws and requirements mandate that agencies purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified products or FEMP-designated products in all product categories covered by these programs and in any acquisition actions that are not specifically exempted by law.

These mandatory requirements apply to all forms of procurement, including construction guide and project specifications; renovation, repair, energy service, and operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts; lease agreements; acquisitions made using purchase cards; and solicitations for offers.

FAR Contract Language

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 23.206 requires agencies to insert the clause at FAR section 52.223-15 into contracts and solicitations that deliver, acquire, furnish, or specify energy-consuming products for use in federal government facilities. 

To comply with FAR requirements, FEMP recommends that agencies incorporate efficiency requirements into technical specifications, the evaluation criteria of solicitations, and the evaluations of solicitation responses.

• Agencies may claim an exception to the Clean Energy Rule if no alternative to a fossil-fuel powered product is found that meets the technical needs and mission requirements of the agency. If an agency wishes to obtain further guidance, request technical assistance or petition for downward adjustment on the fossil fuel reduction target from FEMP, they may do so by contacting the Clean Energy Rule team and following the petition process. Contracting officers should still aim to purchase products that meet the ENERGY STAR or FEMP-designated requirements and minimize emissions as much as possible.

  Products meeting FEMP-designated efficiency requirements may not be life cycle cost-effective in certain low-use applications or in locations with very low rates for natural gas or fuel oil. However, for most applications, purchasers will find that energy-efficient products have the lowest life cycle cost.

  Agencies may claim an exception to federal purchasing requirements through a written finding that no FEMP-designated or ENERGY STAR-qualified product is available to meet functional requirements, or that no such product is life cycle cost-effective for the specific application. Learn more about federal product purchasing requirements.

Federal Supply Sources and Product Codes

The federal supply sources for energy-efficient products are the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide programs that help federal agencies buy products with positive environmental attributes.

Identification codes for product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements are provided by DLA and the United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC).

• Under the Multiple Award Schedule program, GSA issues long-term governmentwide contracts that provide access to commercial products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated pricing.

  Federal buyers can use the GSA Multiple Award Schedules to find a vendor and pull up their latest price list. Alternatively, buyers can search for a specific product in GSA Advantage! or enter the product in GSA eBuy to get a quote from multiple vendors. Before purchasing a product through one of these channels or a preferred vendor, buyers should make sure the product meets the FEMP or ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. For solicitations, buyers should include the relevant FAR clause and incorporate energy efficiency into the contract language and evaluation criteria to ensure compliance with the federal purchasing requirements.

  TAKE ACTION

  • Review the Multiple Award Schedule program.
     
  • Visit the GSA Advantage! online shopping network and associated acquisition tool GSA eBuy.
     
  • Learn about efficient, healthy buildings and environmentally responsible purchasing from the Sustainable Facilities (SF) Tool.

• DLA offers products through the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia and online through FedMall (formerly DOD EMALL).

  TAKE ACTION

  • Visit FedMall.

  Products sold through DLA are codified with a 13-digit National Stock Number (NSN) and, in some cases, a two-letter Environmental Attribute Code (ENAC). The ENAC identifies items that have positive environmental characteristics and meet standards set by an approved third party, such as FEMP and ENERGY STAR.

• USDA's BioPreferred Program was created to increase the purchase and use of biobased products. Federal law, the FAR, and Presidential Executive Orders direct that all federal agencies and their contractors purchase biobased products in categories identified by USDA. 

  TAKE ACTION

  • Review 139 categories of biobased products.

• EPA offers several resources for choosing which products to buy. The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program helps federal government purchasers utilize private sector standards and ecolabels to identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services.

  TAKE ACTION

  • Learn more about the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program.
     
  • Review federal purchasing specifications, standards, and ecolabels.
     
  • Get an overview of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and procuring environmentally preferable electronic products.

• UNSPSC is a worldwide classification system for e-commerce. It contains more than 50,000 commodities, including many used in the federal sector, each with a unique eight-digit, four-level identification code. Manufacturers and vendors are beginning to adopt the UNSPSC classification convention and electronic procurement systems are beginning to include UNSPSC tracking in their software packages. UNSPSCs can help the federal acquisition community identify product categories covered by sustainable acquisition requirements, track purchases of products within those categories, and report on progress toward meeting sustainable acquisition goals. 

  TAKE ACTION

  • Review FEMP's table of product codes for ENERGY STAR and FEMP-designated covered product categories.

Commercial Boilers Schedules and Product Codes

GSA offers commercial boilers through Multiple Award Schedule Industrial Products HVAC and C schedules.

DLA's ENAC for commercial boilers is "HF."

The UNSPSCs for commercial boilers are , , , , and .

Buyer Tips: Make Informed Product Purchases

A boiler system should be capable of meeting the building's peak heating demand and also operate efficiently at part-load conditions. Selecting the right system and properly sizing a boiler requires knowledge of both the peak demand and load profile. If building loads are highly variable, as is common in commercial buildings, designers should consider installing multiple small (modular) boilers in addition to boilers that have modulating burners. In periods of low demand, some of the boilers can be isolated from the other boilers and not incur any standby losses or cycling losses. They can also be automatically staged such that each boiler is running at its most efficient operating point without incurring additional cycling.

For guidance on boiler rightsizing and quality installation, consult the American National Standards Institute/Air Conditioning Contractors of America Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installations Specification (ANSI/ACCA 5 QI ).

Federal procurement officers and buyers should consider specifying boilers with the following features:

• Condensing: Hot water boilers include both condensing and non-condensing varieties. Condensing boilers that are able to extract heat from water vapor in the combustion gases for use in producing hot water are typically more efficient than non-condensing models. There are some tradeoffs to consider along with the efficiency improvements. Condensing boilers must be made of corrosion resistant materials which can increase their manufacturing cost. Although more expensive, condensing boilers' increased efficiency can significantly reduce energy costs to a point where savings exceeds the cost premium compared to a standard, non-condensing boiler. Hybrid systems are also useful particularly in retrofit applications to integrate new condensing boilers into an existing modular system with conventional boilers.
   
• Water temperature reset: Hot water boilers should have the capability for water temperature reset. This is typically based on the outdoor air temperature or the return water temperature. When the heating load is reduced, the supply water is set to a lower temperature.
   
• Modulating burners: It is recommended that boilers have the capability to vary their heating output by modulating the burner. Most of the time boilers operate at part load. To prevent excessive cycling and the losses that accompany them, specify boilers that have modulating capability. A minimum turndown ratio of 5:1 is recommended for gas-fired, hot-water boilers. This is particularly important in condensing boilers that run more efficiently at part load.
   
• Low mass: Because boilers cycle on and off and it takes time to bring a high-mass boiler up to operating temperature, using low-mass boilers will reduce energy consumption. In addition, some boilers can be brought online quickly, therefore avoiding the need to keep a boiler on hot standby.
   
• Remote monitoring capability: Remote monitoring capability is useful to manage boiler operation and to detect any malfunctions in a timely manner.
   
• Precise air-fuel ratio control: It is important to keep the air-fuel ratio at optimum levels at part-load operation as well as full-load operation. This is better accomplished by using sensor-driven servos rather than a mechanical linkage (e.g., jack shaft) between the gas input and the blower damper. Oxygen trim systems should be used on larger boilers. Oxygen trim systems monitor the oxygen in the flue gas and adjust the air-fuel ratio for optimum combustion efficiency.
   
• Optimum start control: An optimum start control fires up a boiler so that it fires just in time to heat up a building before it is occupied in the morning.
   
• Other enhancements: Other options to increase efficiency of the heating system include reusing heat from blow down and return condensate for steam boilers, using electronic ignition devices, and increasing boiler and piping insulation.

Many new energy consuming commercial boilers come equipped with Internet of Things (IoT) sensing components, and network connectivity. Making a new purchase or replacement represents a prime opportunity to evaluate the vulnerabilities of your network. All IoT-enabled devices introduce novel exposures to potential data breaches. Building controls and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems are no exception. Security can almost never be networked in after the fact, and so it is important to ensure that your networked devices are secure. Also, regularly testing for network vulnerabilities is key. For more information on how to build cybersecure networks of building technologies, consult FEMP's Energy and Cybersecurity Integration resources and Cyber-Securing Facility Related Control Systems fact sheet.

User Tips: Use Products More Efficiently

Several diagnostic and maintenance procedures are important to maintain efficient boiler operation. Flue gas temperature monitoring is useful in detecting efficiency and operating problems. Maintaining steady excess air levels (with an oxygen trim sensor) ensures that burners will mix air and fuel properly. Low water levels can damage boilers, so water levels should be checked frequently as part of a regular maintenance program. Water treatment can prolong boiler life as well as increase efficiency. Waterside and fireside surfaces should be cleaned annually.

The Boiler Efficiency Institute provides maintenance and operation manuals for boilers and boiler control systems. To encourage quality operations and maintenance, building engineers can also refer to ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180: Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems. In addition, the FEMP O&M Best Practices Guide, Release 3.0, Chapter 9 provides valuable information on operation and maintenance of boiler systems.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this acquisition guidance.

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