Will a New Boiler Save Me Money?
Property owners and facility managers can often achieve significant energy savings by upgrading an aging boiler with a new, more efficient unit. By fitting a new cast iron or high-efficiency condensing boiler, you’ll use less fuel and provide more comfort for the building occupants. At the same time, the facility manager can benefit from years of trouble-free operation.
Is it a New Installation or a Replacement?
There are several reasons why you might decide to opt for boiler replacement. The question is, Will a New Boiler Save Me Money?
Condensing boilers have efficiencies typically above 90 percent and exceed the current Department of Energy’s (DoE) minimum prescribed efficiency levels. According to the DoE, replacing a 65 percent efficient cast iron boiler with a new one with 84 percent thermal efficiency or higher will result in significant fuel savings.
The cast iron (standard efficiency) boilers usually offer lower installation costs, a longer life expectancy, and require less maintenance than condensing boilers. The condensing (high efficiency) boilers tend to be more expensive but have more advanced controls and can offer a higher return on investment under the right operating conditions. The savings will vary and depend on the application, seasonal run hours, utility rates, part-load situations, and boiler efficiency. (There are some great resources available online for facility managers to evaluate their return on investment when purchasing a boiler. One of the most popular boiler ROI tools is Weil-McLain’s SlimFit ROI Calculator.)
If you are looking to save money long term by replacing your old boiler, here are a few tips.
1. BTU’s
Heat output is measured in “BTUs,” which stands for British Thermal Units (a measurement of heat energy). The higher the BTU output, the more the boiler system will cost. [1 BTU is the amount of energy required to raise 1 pound of water by 1°F.]
Once this load computation is complete, a licensed professional uses the information to match your building’s heating needs with an accurately-sized boiler system.
2. How Efficient is the Boiler?
Commercial boiler efficiency levels are stated as a percentage called an AFUE rating (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency). The higher the AFUE rating, the more efficient the boiler system and the more it will cost. Conversely, the more efficient the system, the less it will cost to heat your building each day.
Bottom line – the higher-efficiency boilers may cost more upfront, but they save you money on utility bills in the long run.
3. Which Type?
When it comes to commercial and industrial boiler systems, the type of boiler you install will factor into its overall price. For example, if you will be replacing or installing a steam boiler, the overall cost of equipment and installation will be different for firetube, tubeless, electric, and watertube boilers.
Will a New Boiler Save Me Money – Plan ahead
It is not unusual for facility owners or property managers to wait until a boiler breaks down and are suddenly faced with no output before making a decision. To make matters worse, these types of failures happen when there is a real need for heat or output (for instance, on a freezing day), and since the loss is unexpected, there are rarely emergency funds allocated to fix the problem.
There are several reasons why you might decide to opt for boiler replacement. The question is, Will a New Boiler Save Me Money?
We Can Help
Boiler maintenance programs should not come with handcuffs. Make sure the maintenance programs you consider allow you to easily cancel if you are dissatisfied with your level of service over time. At Bay City Boiler, we view each partnership as an opportunity for continuous growth and success throughout the agreement term because every new customer is a privilege.
If your boiler needs servicing, remember these several key points when choosing a company for downtime boiler tube repair. Be choosy and play it safe; you do not want to risk productivity and efficiency next year.
If you are interested in knowing the answer to the question, “Will a New Boiler Save Me Money?” or have questions, please give us a call. We are more than happy to help.