Boiler Blog | Nationwide Boiler Inc.

June marks National Safety Month, and Nationwide Boiler is proud to participate by spotlighting key safety topics each week, in alignment with the National Safety Council’s official themes. We're kicking things off with a focus on Continuous Improvement—a core value that drives our safety culture forward every day.

At its heart, continuous improvement means never settling for "good enough" and always seeking ways to enhance processes, reduce risk, and ensure the well-being of every team member. Join us as we explore how small, consistent changes can lead to a safer, stronger workplace.

What is Continuous Improvement?

Continuous improvement is the ongoing effort to enhance processes, systems, and behaviors to achieve better outcomes. In the context of workplace safety, it involves regularly evaluating procedures, identifying potential hazards or inefficiencies, and implementing strategic solutions that reduce risk and promote employee well-being.

At Nationwide Boiler, we understand that safety is not a static goal, it’s a journey. A truly effective safety culture evolves over time through consistent reflection, innovation, and collaboration. We strive to create an environment where safety is always at the forefront, and where lessons learned lead to lasting, meaningful change.

Why Continuous Improvement Matters

Even the most comprehensive safety programs can become outdated if not reviewed and improved consistently. Hazards change, regulations are updated, and new technologies and best practices emerge. By adopting a mindset of continuous improvement, we ensure our safety protocols remain dynamic, relevant, and impactful.

Continuous improvement in safety leads to:

• Fewer incidents and injuries: By identifying risks early and addressing them proactively, we create a safer workplace for everyone.
• Higher employee engagement: When team members see that their feedback and observations are valued, they become more invested in maintaining a safe work environment.
• Boosted morale and efficiency: A safe workplace is a productive one. Confidence in safety measures allows employees to focus on their work without unnecessary worry.
• Stronger regulatory compliance: Staying aligned with evolving safety standards ensures we meet or exceed industry and legal requirements.

A Shared Responsibility

Continuous improvement only works when everyone is involved. From management to employees, each of us plays a vital role in maintaining a safe environment. When we remain curious, proactive, and open to change, we build a workplace where safety is second nature. To discover more about how Nationwide Boiler is dedicated to practicing safety, please read our detailed blog article here.

Celebrate National Safety Month with Nationwide Boiler, and stay tuned for another safety topic next week!

The 2025 Western Regional Boiler Association (WRBA) Conference, held March 25-27 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, brought together boiler industry professionals for a dynamic exchange of ideas, insights, and innovations. Scott Best, Sales Engineer at Nationwide Boiler, presented an insightful session on deaerators, emphasizing the critical role deaerators play in maintaining efficient boiler operations.

Spotlight on Scott Best’s Presentation: "A Deep Dive into Deaerators"

Best’s presentation provided a comprehensive overview of deaerators—essential yet often overlooked components of boiler systems. He emphasized their crucial role in emoving dissolved gases from boiler feedwater, helping to prevent corrosion and enhance overall system efficiency.

Deaerators play a vital role in removing dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide from boiler feedwater. This process prevents corrosion, improves heat transfer, and ensures the longevity of boilers and auxiliary equipment. 

Best explained the key principles of deaerator operation, including how pegging steam interacts with feedwater to effectively strip away dissolved gases. It is important to maintain pegging steam at the saturation point to maximize deaeration efficiency. Best also discussed the impact of high-pressure condensate on the deaerator’s energy balance and outlined strategies for recovering heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Proper sizing of feedwater pumps is crucial for ensuring sufficient Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH), which helps prevent cavitation and maintains pump efficiency. Best clarified the difference between overflow capacity and working capacity, helping operators understand how to size and operate deaerators within optimal ranges.

The session covered various types of deaerators, including tray-type and spray-type designs, and provided guidance on selecting the right type based on system requirements. Best offered practical tips on monitoring performance, conducting routine maintenance, and troubleshooting common issues to ensure long-term reliability.

Benefits of Optimized Deaerator Performance

By applying best practices for deaerator operation and maintenance, operators can significantly enhance boiler performance. Improved heat transfer and reduced energy consumption lead to increased efficiency, while minimizing corrosion-related damage extends the lifespan of equipment. Additionally, optimized deaerator performance enhances system responsiveness, ensuring greater operational reliability. These benefits not only improve daily operations but also help reduce downtime and lower long-term costs associated with repairs and replacements.  

Deaerators play a fundamental role in maintaining boiler system efficiency and reliability, yet they are often overlooked. As Best outlined, neglecting these components can lead to inefficiencies, reduced equipment lifespan, and costly repairs. By shedding light on this critical topic, we at Nationwide Boiler reinforce our commitment to industry education and providing customers with practical, effective solutions. 

Nationwide Boiler’s Continued Leadership

Nationwide Boiler’s participation at WRBA 2025 exemplifies our dedication to fostering education and innovation within the boiler industry. As a leader in providing reliable boiler solutions—from rental boiler equipment to custom control systems—we consistently demonstrate our expertise through thought leadership at key industry events.

By focusing on best practices for deaerator selection, operation, and maintenance, Nationwide Boiler aims to help customers optimize their steam systems for greater efficiency and sustainability. For more information on Nationwide Boiler's deaerator solutions and other boiler-related services, visit www.nationwideboiler.com or contact Scott Best at sbest@nationwideboiler.com.

In today’s volatile industrial landscape, supply chain disruptions and rising costs are reshaping how businesses acquire critical equipment. For steam users, these challenges are especially severe, with lead times for large watertube boilers now stretching to 50 weeks. Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program offers immediate access to high-quality boilers, mitigating risks such as escalating costs and unpredictable tariffs.

The Growing Need for Immediate Solutions

Supply chain delays have become a persistent issue across industries, driven by factors like material shortages, logistical bottlenecks, and fluctuating global markets. For steam plant operators, these delays can jeopardize production schedules and operational efficiency.

Nationwide Boiler's in-stock boiler program addresses these challenges, offering ready-to-ship solutions that eliminate long manufacturing lead times.

Advantages of Nationwide Boiler’s In-Stock Boiler Program

At Nationwide Boiler, we have built our reputation on reliability and foresight by maintaining an inventory of new and reconditioned boilers tailored to meet the needs of diverse industries. Our in-stock boiler inventory includes a robust selection of high-demand equipment ready for immediate shipment—no long lead times, no surprises.

Our stock boiler program features brand-new Babcock & Wilcox 200,000 lb/hr superheat watertube boilers, currently one of the only units of its kind available for immediate purchase, as well as a wide range of Hurst firetube package boilers from 200 to 800 HP. Whether you need saturated or superheated steam, low or high pressure, we have solutions on hand to meet urgent project timelines and evolving plant requirements.

Several key advantages of Nationwide’s in-stock boiler program:

• Reduced Lead Times: Unlike custom-built boilers that take months to manufacture, in-stock boilers can often ship within days or weeks of an order.
• Cost Stability: With potential tariffs driving up costs unpredictably, purchasing a stock boiler provides protection from price surges associated with raw materials.
• Immediate Engineering Support: Pre-prepared engineering drawings are available for all stock boilers, streamlining project planning and installation.
• Pre-Purchase Inspections: Customers can inspect equipment before purchase to ensure it meets their exact specifications

A Strategic Response to Tariff Uncertainty

One of the most pressing concerns for industrial buyers today is the impact of potential tariffs on steel and other imported materials. Tariffs can cause sudden spikes in equipment costs, making it difficult for businesses to budget effectively. By investing in boilers that are already manufactured and priced, companies can sidestep these uncertainties. Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program allows customers to lock in pricing at the time of purchase, avoiding unexpected cost increases that could derail projects.

Why Choose Nationwide Boiler?

In an environment where time, cost, and reliability are critical, Nationwide Boiler’s in-stock boiler program delivers a practical and proactive solution. By offering immediate access to high-quality firetube and watertube boilers—including large-capacity units and complete system packages—we help businesses avoid costly delays and navigate market volatility with confidence.

We also offer one of the world’s largest and most versatile rental boiler fleets, including mobile boiler rooms, trailer and skid-mounted boilers, plus auxiliary equipment like feedwater systems, economizers, and emissions control equipment such as the CataStak™ SCR system. Backed by expert support and decades of industry experience, we’re here to keep your operation moving forward—on time and on budget.

Explore our stock boiler inventory to find the ideal match for your project and reach out today for a quick quote. Our team of experts will promptly match your needs with the right equipment, and provide the information and support necessary to keep your business running smoothly.

Nationwide Boiler made waves at the IDEA Campus Energy 2025 Conference held in Boston, Massachusetts from February 3-6, 2025. The event served as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge solutions in district energy systems. A highlight of the conference was the presentation by Gordon Judd, Business Development Executive at Nationwide Boiler, who introduced innovative distributed heat pump configurations for district energy systems. The approach focuses on unlocking the hidden potential of chill water return lines to boost revenue and enhance energy efficiency.

Key Takeaways from Judd's Presentation

Heat Exchangers vs. Heat Pumps

Judd began by explaining the fundamental difference between heat exchangers and heat pumps:

• Heat exchangers allow heat to flow from hot to cold sources.

• Heat pumps use electricity to reverse this process, moving heat from cold to hot sources.

This distinction is crucial for understanding the potential of heat pumps in district energy systems.

Innovative Use of Chilled Water Return Lines
Judd presented three scenarios demonstrating how heat pumps can leverage chilled water return lines:

1. Adding Cooling Capacity: A 400-ton cooling load was added to a fully subscribed system by connecting to the return line and using a heat pump, achieving a remarkable coefficient of performance (COP) of 6.91.

2. Providing Domestic Hot Water: A 500-room hotel's hot water needs were met using the chilled water return line as a heat source, with a COP of 3.8 for heating.     

3. Space Heating Solution: A small commercial building's failing boiler was replaced with a heat pump system, utilizing the chilled water return line to provide 140°F water for space heating.

Benefits of Distributed Heat Pump Configurations 
Judd highlighted several advantages of this approach:

• Increased system capacity without central plant upgrades.

• New revenue streams from previously untapped resources.

• Improved overall energy efficiency.

• Carbon-free heating solutions compared to traditional gas boilers.

Implications for District Energy Providers
The presentation demonstrated that district energy providers can:

1. Add new customers without expensive infrastructure upgrades

2. Offer both heating and cooling services using existing chilled water systems

3. Improve system efficiency and reduce carbon emissions

Conclusion: A Game-Changer for Campus Energy Systems

Gordon Judd's presentation at IDEA CampusEnergy 2025 showcased the immense potential of distributed heat pump configurations in district energy systems. By harnessing the untapped potential of chilled water return lines, campus energy providers can create new revenue streams, increase efficiency, and move towards more sustainable operations.

Nationwide Boiler remains committed to energy efficiency advancements, and our presence at this conference highlights that focus. Representing Oilon heat pumps, we are proud to offer innovative solutions that support decarbonization and energy savings. As we continue to explore and implement these cutting-edge solutions, we look forward to helping our clients optimize their energy systems for a more sustainable future.

For those interested in learning more, visit www.nationwideboiler.com or contact Gordon Judd at gjudd@nationwideboiler.com.