High School Level 1 Energy Audit -- Chapter 6

Chapter VI - The School Boiler

Many schools have a boiler to provide space and water heating. Given the greater sophistication and safety concerns regarding these systems, what you can do will be limited and you will need help. Take advantage of your school’s boiler operator to learn about the system and keep an eye open for recommendations you can suggest that may save. In order to determine the efficiency and operation of the school boiler several measures must be taken which include an evaluation of the burn efficiency and smokestack temperature readings. In this part of the energy audit your team is going to need the services of a consultant.

Field Trip to the School's Boiler Room: Contact your faculty coach to arrange for a guided tour of the boiler room by custodial staff. In the tour find out who is responsible for maintaining the boiler, what type fuel it uses, and when it was last inspected. Review the energy data that you collected in chapters II and III in terms of how much and when fuel is being used. Are there any surprises?

Professional Boiler Inspection: Contact your school and district resources and entities like Northwest Natural Gas Company to see if it is possible to schedule a boiler inspection and report to your energy team. Information from this inspection will be used in your final report and recommendations.

Scheduling: Review the time periods when the school’s boiler is operated. Are there periods such as winter, spring, and summer breaks when it could be completely turned off. Is it? A quick check of schools in the Portland area over one recent Christmas break found many school buildings operating on the same schedule as if they were being used! Significant savings were possible simply by turning off heating, lighting and other energy using systems which are not needed at that time.

Boiler Room Checklist

The following items should be covered by the boiler inspector. You may want to review why these are important after the inspection has been completed.

Daily Requirements:

Check temperature of exhaust gasses
Check the steam pressure
Check for unstable water level
Check the burner
Check motors and auxiliary equipment
Check blowdown
Keep a daily log, pressure, temperature of room, stack, water

Weekly Requirements:

Check exhaust gas composition and temperature
Check relief valve
Check water level control
Check pilot and burner assemblies
Check boiler operating characteristics

Monthly Requirements:

Check blowdown and water treatment procedures
Exhaust gases
Combustion air supply - keep air supply openings free of obstructions
Check fuel system
Check belts and packing glands
Check for air leaks
Inspect boiler room for cleanliness
Inspect linkages for tightness
Observe the fire when unit shuts down
Inspect all boiler insulation, refractory, brickwork, and boiler casing for hot spots and air leaks.

Source: Northwest Natural Gas Company Commercial Conservation Checklist.

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