Project Report

Low Cost Boiler Efficiency Improvements

Paper presented at 1984 ACEEE Summer Study on Efficiency in Buildings Conference
Paper Dated: August, 1984
Paper by: John Proctor

Abstract

In this paper, boiler efficiency work in 46 households is studied. Most of the work was done as part of the Colorado Office of Energy Conservation Weatherization Program funded by LIEAP. The units in this study are single family residences with natural gas fired boilers. The procedures and treatments described can also be applied to propane and oil fired units.

The paper consists of two sections, the first deals with the technical details of the program including boiler controls, combustion and distribution efficiency improvements as well as essential administrative components of feedback, training and control. The second section deals with the evaluation method, results and conclusions.

The Boiler Program savings exceeded the low cost furnace efficiency program results. The average annual gas heating bill for this group of homes was $786. The Boiler Program alone saves about 13.7% of that, or $107 per year. The average per unit cost of the efficiency work, (parts, labor, and administration) is $198. This results in a payback on the efficiency items of 1.85 years.

Also see Program Design and Energy Efficiency Research

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