Net Zero Starts at the Boilerhouse

As the temperature rises and many sites prepare for summer shutdowns, maintenance windows, or reduced staffing, now is the perfect time to take stock of your steam system. Not just for short-term resilience, but as a strategic step on your journey to net zero.

At Spirax Sarco UK & Ireland, we know the pathway to decarbonisation isn’t always lined with brand-new technology and massive investments. More often, it begins with making better use of what you’ve already got. That’s why this Net Zero Week, we’re encouraging steam users to take a fresh look at their systems  and use summer as an opportunity to drive meaningful change.

 Why Summer? Why Now?

Summer presents a unique window. Production lines may run at reduced capacity. Plant managers have breathing space. And systems that have been running hard all year finally get a rest.

But it’s also a time when:

• Leaks get missed as teams wind down
• Heat strain increases pressure on equipment
• Small faults go unnoticed, only to become big problems come autumn

That’s why proactive summer health checks aren’t just maintenance best practice, they’re a smart sustainability move too. They help identify waste, catch inefficiencies, and ensure your system is operating as efficiently and cleanly as possible.

What Does Summer-Ready Look Like?

It’s not all about shiny upgrades. Getting summer ready is about small, often simple checks that keep your system running lean and low-carbon.

Here’s what a sustainable, summer-ready steam system might include:

• Fully functioning steam traps with no failed open or closed units
• Condensate recovery working efficiently, reducing fuel, chemical, and water use
• Accurate monitoring of boiler efficiency and carbon intensity
• Correctly set valves and pressure-reducing stations to avoid overheating or wasted steam
• Pipework insulation checked and repaired where needed
• Boiler controls optimised to match actual load demand

Not rocket science, just good engineering. But each of these measures makes a measurable difference to fuel use, CO₂ output, and overall plant resilience.

The Boilerhouse and Net Zero

Boilerhouses are responsible for a large chunk of site emissions, sometimes up to 70% in process-heavy industries. But with the right approach, they can also be where your carbon savings begin.

By focusing on:

• Reducing steam losses
• Recovering and reusing heat
• Digitally monitoring performance
• Exploring hybrid or electric generation options

… you’re not just maintaining a system — you’re building a more sustainable one.

And the best part? Most of these improvements deliver cost savings too.

Our Steam System Health Check

To help customers get summer ready and support their sustainability goals, we offer a comprehensive Steam System Health Check.

It’s a quick, low-disruption way to:

• Identify areas of energy waste
• Highlight cost-saving opportunities
• Benchmark your current performance
• Begin mapping your pathway to net zero

It’s not just about preventing downtime. It’s about taking control of your energy use — and reducing emissions, one valve and trap at a time.

Don’t Let Net Zero Wait Until Winter

Net Zero Week is a reminder that every step counts. And that sometimes, the most impactful steps are the quiet ones: a survey completed, a trap replaced, an insulation jacket repaired.

If you're ready to take a small but strategic step towards a more sustainable steam system, let’s talk. Summer’s the perfect time to start.