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:
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:
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:
… 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:
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.
Process managers could be making improvements to increase efficiency and product quality by paying closer attention to the specification of controls systems used within their facilities – that’s the current message from Spirax Sarco’s National Controls Specialist, Darren Silverthorn.
Process, energy, and maintenance managers looking to maximise safety, efficiency, and productivity, are being urged to take a proactive approach to plant management by including wireless steam trap monitoring within their proactive maintenance regime.
Believe it or not, you can make this a reality through your choice of control valve. You will already know that accurate temperature and pressure control maintains process efficiency, which makes control valves an invaluable part of any steam system. So what should you be looking for when sourcing an efficient control valve?
Implementing an effective steam trap management plan, doesn’t need to be complicated. Lowering Carbon output, increased production and energy savings are all benefits you could achieve from regular management.
Industrial steam specialist, Spirax Sarco Limited, headquartered in Gloucestershire, has begun machining a critical component part for use in the UCL-Ventura breathing aid, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device that is being used to provide potentially life-saving oxygen to patients affected by COVID-19.
Measures the conductivity of a liquid, degree of purity is established. The amount of dissolved solids in boiler water can be directly related to its conductivity level.