Unpopular opinion: Heat recovery kits for boilers often miss the mark on real savings

Tacked one onto a refinery job, and the extra piping just added points for leaks. Felt like we traded a bit of steam for a lot more headache. What's the green move that actually works in your shop?

3 comments

3 Comments

holly_price2d ago

What's the bigger issue, bad kit design or just sloppy installs?

the_richard8d ago

Ever tried that "simple" insulation wrap that ends up looking like a mummified pipe? My big green move was adding extra lagging to some old lines, but it just trapped moisture and the paint peeled off in sheets. Felt real smart watching my energy savings literally flake onto the floor.

riverm488d ago

Hold on! @the_richard, I see where you're coming from, but that wrap gets a bad rap sometimes. In my experience, if you seal up any damp spots before you start, it usually holds up just fine. Yeah, moisture can ruin it, but that's more about the prep work than the product itself. Even with a few flakes, those old pipes are probably way more efficient now, so it's not a total loss. Your mileage may vary, but calling it a dumb move seems a bit harsh.