Optimising boiler houses:a sustainable journey

The healthcare sector faces mounting pressures to reduce its carbon footprint and energy consumption while continuing to provide essential services. Global targets, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement, call for limiting temperature rises to 1.5 °C, and cutting emissions annually. These goals highlight the urgent need for action across all industries, including healthcare. In the healthcare sector, energy efficiency is vital not only for sustainability, but also for maintaining critical services in a cost-effective way. By focusing on small but impactful changes, healthcare facilities can make a significant difference in their operational budgets and environmental footprint.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities rely heavily on boiler houses to power essential processes like heating, hot water, and sterilisation. However, inefficient systems can lead to significant energy waste and higher operational costs, directly impacting a facility’s budget and sustainability objectives. The challenge lies in balancing these demands while supporting patient care, which remains the highest priority.

While the road to sustainability may seem overwhelming, the key lies in breaking it down into smaller, actionable steps. For healthcare facilities, this journey begins in the boiler house.

The ‘Six Rs of Sustainability’:a boiler house focus for healthcare

A practical starting point for healthcare facilities is adopting the ‘Six Rs of Sustainability’, which provide a clear framework for making meaningful changes. Before embarking on any optimisation efforts, it’s essential to gather baseline data such as energy load profiling and metering insights to understand where inefficiencies exist. Armed with this information, facilities can apply the Six Rs to transform their boiler house operations. Let’s look at each in turn.

1) Reduce

Cutting down on fuel consumption is one of the most straightforward ways to lower emissions and costs. To do this I suggest:

• Auditing energy use: Conduct a thorough assessment of current energy consumption to identify inefficiencies, such as boilers running unnecessarily during low-demand periods.
• Implementing efficient control systems: automated controls can ensure that boilers only operate when needed, minimising waste, while maintaining reliability. For example, installing timers and load-matching controls allows systems to respond dynamically to real-time energy demands.

2) Re-use

Maximising the resources already present within the system reduces the need for new energy inputs.

• Recover and re-use steam: Flash steam generated during operations can often be recaptured and redirected to other facility needs, reducing the demand for newly generated steam.
• Optimise water usage: condensate — the water produced when steam cools — still contains valuable energy. Re-using this condensate in the boiler reduces fuel consumption and lowers operational costs.

3) Recycle

Recycling within the boiler house primarily involves returning resources like heat and water back into the system. I would thus suggest:

• Recycling condensate: sending warm condensate back to the boiler reduces the energy required to heat fresh water. Additionally, this practice decreases the need for water treatment chemicals, which further reduces costs.
• Capturing waste heat: By using heat exchangers, facilities can recover heat from exhaust gases and use it to pre-heat boiler feedwater, increasing overall efficiency.

4) Refuse

This principle focuses on eliminating outdated, inefficient processes in favour of more sustainable alternatives. To do this, I would suggest:

• Evaluating current practices: many healthcare facilities still rely on manual monitoring and maintenance of boiler systems. Upgrading to automated solutions can enhance efficiency and safety, while saving time.
• Embracing modern technology: investing in high-efficiency boilers or economisers can drastically reduce energy consumption, providing a significant return on investment over time.

5) Rethink

Reassessing operations ensures that the boiler house remains aligned with the facility’s evolving goals and demands.

• Reassess load demands: healthcare facilities often experience fluctuating energy needs. Regularly reviewing these requirements helps eliminate inefficiencies, and ensures that boilers operate at optimal levels.
• Measure and monitor impact: Implement systems to track key metrics like energy use, emissions, and boiler efficiency. This data allows for continuous improvements, and supports informed decision-making.

6) Repair

Proactive maintenance prevents small issues from escalating into costly problems.

• Routine maintenance checks: Even minor issues, like steam leaks or scale build-up, can lead to significant inefficiencies. For example, a small leak can waste thousands of pounds in fuel annually if left unchecked.
• Invest in preventative maintenance: scheduling regular inspections and servicing helps ensure that boilers and associated systems remain in peak condition, extending their lifespan, and maintaining efficiency.

From small steps to big impacts

Even seemingly minor adjustments in boiler house operations can yield substantial benefits. For example, raising feed tank temperatures can lower fresh water use, reduce chemical needs, and save on fuel, while fixing steam leaks not only saves energy, but also enhances safety by reducing pressure imbalances. These small improvements can collectively result in up to 25% savings in boiler house costs, providing much-needed relief for tight healthcare budgets. Additionally, these actions contribute to broader sustainability goals by lowering emissions and reducing environmental impact.

Optimising boiler house operations isn’t just about upgrading equipment; it’s also about empowering the people who operate and maintain these systems. At Spirax Sarco, we understand that well-trained staff are crucial to sustaining long-term efficiency improvements. Our specialist training programmes are designed to equip healthcare facility teams with the knowledge and skills needed to identify inefficiencies, conduct routine maintenance, and implement best practices. These courses cover topics like steam system fundamentals, energy-saving techniques, and safety procedures, ensuring that staff can confidently manage their boiler house systems. By investing in training, healthcare facilities not only improve their immediate operations, but also foster a culture of sustainability and continuous improvement.

Begin your journey with optimisation

Optimising the boiler house is an essential first step toward broader sustainability goals, such as achieving Net Zero. By identifying easy wins, healthcare facilities can create a foundation for ongoing improvements that support both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. These steps not only benefit the environment, but also ensure that healthcare facilities can allocate more resources to patient care by reducing unnecessary energy costs.

At Spirax Sarco, we’re committed to helping healthcare facilities on their sustainability journey. Our tailored solutions and expert guidance are designed to meet the unique needs of the healthcare sector. Whether it’s optimising boiler operations, implementing automation, or providing training, we work alongside facilities to deliver tangible results.

With decades of experience, we bring both technical expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges healthcare organisations face. Our goal is to help facilities achieve their sustainability objectives without compromising the quality of care they provide. Equally, from equipment upgrades to training and maintenance, we offer end-to-end support, and our proven solutions deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, cost savings, and emissions reductions.

Optimising the boiler house is about more than just technology — it’s about making informed decisions that benefit the facility, its budget, and the environment. By applying the Six Rs of Sustainability, investing in training, and collaborating with a trusted partner, healthcare facilities can take meaningful steps toward achieving their efficiency and sustainability goals.

Together, we can create a more sustainable future — one small step at a time.