Boilers are important; regardless of where you use them, it’s essential to know when it’s time for a replacement. Indeed, some managers or property owners often wait for the equipment to break down before replacing it completely.
The thing is, these total failures only happen when there’s a need for steam or heat, which means they are always unexpected. Unexpected failures like this can cause inconvenience, and that’s something you don’t want to happen to you.
Some even try to retrofit the boiler instead of replacing it. In some cases, this would work because even if the boiler shows a decline in performance or condition, it can still be saved without having to undergo a total replacement. Proper boiler evaluation is crucial to decide between retrofitting or replacement.
Here are signs you’ll know it’s time to replace your boiler:
Age
Boilers aren’t built to last forever, so there’s no point treating it as if it’s going to last and carry on to the next generations. Generally, boilers can last between 20 and 25 years. With that, if you’re on year 15 already, consider this ripe time to update the boiler with newer technology.
On the other hand, if the boiler is past the 25-year mark, replacing the parts with newer ones may not be the best solution. Therefore, it’s time to get a new industrial boiler.
Safety Issues
Safety inspections of your boiler will always uncover issues. Some of them are:
- Irregular starting/stopping: This could indicate the boiler’s operating controls aren’t properly functioning, and the safety controls have taken over as a precaution.
- High stack temperatures: This could indicate unsafe conditions and poor heat transfer, which is caused by poor water management, poor combustion or low water level.
- Poor combustion tuning/rumbling: Improper air and fuel flow can cause pulsations and surges.
When you notice any of these safety issues, then it’s probably time to consider replacing your industrial boiler.
Loss of Performance
Another strong indicator that you need to replace your industrial boiler is when you notice frequent performance issues. To check performance efficiency, a quick test is done to compare the amount of fuel it uses to the amount of steam it produces over a certain period.
If you notice the amount of fuel required to create a specific amount of steam has been increasing, that only means the efficacy of the boiler has been declining.
The pressure and temperature of the boiler must be checked as well. If the boiler can’t maintain the right temperature and pressure while operating, then it’s likely you need a boiler replacement. It’s also a great idea to compare the amount of steam produced per hour to when it was installed.
Conclusion
Replacing your boiler will provide you with significant improvements and reduce your future expenses. That’s why you need to know how to recognise the signs of whether your boiler needs a replacement or not. As mentioned, a proper and thorough evaluation is a must here. Should you find yourself with the need for a new boiler, consider renting one.
London Climate Hire offers boiler rentals in London. We offer the most efficient equipment for commercial and industrial properties. Contact us today.