Boiler Plant Energy Audits in California
McKenna engineers measure combustion, stack loss, blowdown, condensate return, steam traps, and boiler loading, and report where the plant is losing fuel.
Code-built boilers and vessels
Code repairs and alterations
Factory-authorized Tech Center
Factory-authorized Burner Tech Center
Fifth generation, family-owned
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McKenna Boiler Works, Inc. performs energy audits on industrial boiler plants across California. McKenna engineers and technicians check combustion efficiency and stack temperature, blowdown rate, condensate return, steam trap losses, insulation, and how the boilers are loaded and sequenced, then deliver a written report with findings and recommendations. McKenna can quote and make the fixes, from tuning and controls upgrades to steam trap replacement and condensate return work, on McKenna boilers and other brands. Family-owned since 1921. Call (323) 987-1816 or email info@mckennaboiler.com to schedule an audit.
What we check
What an energy audit covers.
- Combustion efficiency, excess air, and stack temperature
- Boiler loading, short cycling, and sequencing
- Blowdown rate and heat recovery
- Condensate return and makeup water
- Steam trap losses and steam leaks
- Missing or damaged insulation
- Stack economizer opportunity
Where fuel goes
Where boiler plants lose fuel.
Most of the loss in a steam plant is in a few places: heat going up the stack, hot water going down the blowdown drain, condensate that isn’t returned, and steam escaping through failed traps and leaks.
An audit measures each one so the plant can fix the biggest losses first. The blowdown rate itself is set by your water treatment company, within the limits in the boiler manufacturer’s manual; the audit looks at the heat that leaves with the blowdown and whether blowdown heat recovery makes sense.
Where the fuel goes
Fuel burned in the boiler becomes useful steam, or it leaves the plant in one of these places.
- StackHeat that goes up the stack with the flue gasMeasured: O2, CO, and stack temperature
- BlowdownHot boiler water sent down the drainMeasured: Blowdown rate and heat recovery
- Boiler shellHeat off the shell and uninsulated trimMeasured: Surface temperatures
- Failed trapsLive steam passing into the returnMeasured: Ultrasonic and temperature test
- Leaks and bare pipePlumes, leaking valves, and missing insulationMeasured: Walkdown survey
- Condensate not returnedHot, treated water replaced with cold makeupMeasured: Return rate and makeup water
How an audit runs
How an energy audit runs.
01
Collect data
Fuel bills, run hours, and how the plant uses steam or hot water.
02
Site survey
Combustion readings, stack temperatures, blowdown, condensate, traps, and insulation.
03
Report
A written report with findings and recommendations.
04
Fix it
McKenna can quote and make the changes the report recommends.
Why McKenna
Why plants use McKenna for energy audits.
We build boiler systems
McKenna engineers and builds firetube boilers, feedwater systems, and blowdown tanks in its own ASME shop.
We can make the fixes
Tuning, controls, economizers, traps, and condensate return, from one company.
Other brands
Audits on plants with McKenna boilers and other brands.
One company
Audit, engineering, upgrades, and service.
Project photos
