Cold weather puts steam systems under pressure. Frozen condensate, cracked pipes, and energy waste are avoidable—but only if you act now. Spirax Sarco’s winter-ready solutions help you stay safe, efficient, and productive through the colder months.
Why winter readiness matters
As the temperature drops, steam systems face tougher conditions. What performs during the summer can struggle in the winter period when demand rises and cold weather exposes weaknesses. Preparing early by fine-tuning performance ensures reliability, protects equipment, and maximises energy efficiency. Even small issues like leaks, poor insulation, or faulty traps can quickly become costly problems in colder months.
Essential winter-readiness checks you should carry out now!
There are some quick and simple steps you can take immediately, including:
Once these quick checks are complete, take a proactive approach with our five strategies to keeping your steam system safe, efficient, and winter-ready.
Five ways to get winter ready
Insulate exposed pipework for better protection
Damaged or missing insulation wastes energy and increases freeze risk. Spirax Sarco insulation jackets are engineered to minimise heat loss, reduce safety risks, and support your sustainability goals. They’re easy to install, built to last, and tailored for your equipment. Every bit of heat lost is energy—and money—gone. Protect your team and your budget with a simple way to save energy.
Learn more about our range of insulation jacketsSteam trap surveys
Every failed steam trap wastes energy you’ve already paid for. Our professional steam trap surveys quantify these losses, identify every failure, and provide you with a clear roadmap to reduce costs and emissions. We locate, tag, and document every steam trap in your facility, using advanced diagnostic equipment to ensure accurate results. You’ll receive a comprehensive report with prioritised recommendations and ROI projections—most surveys identify savings with payback periods under 12 months.
Enquire hereCondensate recovery optimisation
Poor condensate return increases water usage, treatment costs, and freeze points. Our solutions help you optimise recovery routes, reduce water hammer, and maintain process stability. Efficient condensate management is crucial for preventing energy waste and system disruptions.
Get in touch to learn moreSteam optimisation audits
Are you maximising the potential of your steam system? Our comprehensive audits uncover hidden opportunities to reduce emissions, boost efficiency, and improve reliability. We tailor each audit to your needs, from a single plant room to your entire steam system. You’ll receive a detailed report outlining findings, recommendations, and a proposed roadmap for implementation.
Learn more and book your auditDigital condition monitoring
Freeze events can be unpredictable. Digital steam trap monitoring gives you real-time visibility, early failure alerts, and fewer emergency call-outs. Wireless sensors continuously monitor trap operation, sending alerts when failures occur. This enables immediate response to issues before they impact production or safety.
Find out more about our wireless solutionsInsulation jackets save 2K GJ/year for global soft drinks company
A global soft drinks company wanted to find ways to cut fuel costs and increase safety in one of its global plants. By installing custom thermal jackets on key equipment, they reduced heat loss and operator risk — achieving annual savings of 2K GJ energy, 94.4 tonnes CO₂, and 930 m³water.
Food manufacturer saves 1K GJ/year through condensate recovery
A food processing site faced frequent heat exchanger failures, risking condensate contamination and energy loss. By installing a condensate monitoring and recovery system, they quickly detected issues, protected equipment, and achieved annual savings of 1K GJ energy, 59 tonnes CO₂, and 1,775 m³ water.
Steam trap survey saves £7K and 18.5 tonnes CO₂ annually
A plant with 29 steam traps faced significant energy loss from leaks. A targeted steam trap survey identified issues, enabling quick repairs. The result: annual savings of £7K, 18.5 tonnes of CO₂, and a payback period of just 3 months.
Act now to protect your steam system from winter risks
Cold weather won’t wait—and neither should you. Every day without preparation increases the chance of frozen condensate, cracked pipes, and costly downtime. Spirax Sarco’s winter-ready solutions give you the confidence that your steam system is safe, efficient, and resilient when temperatures drop. Don’t leave performance to chance—get winter-ready today.
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