The preventative steam trap maintenance program was started at Western Michigan University in 1988. The purpose of the program was to meet the following needs:
- Cost savings.
- Decreased emergency maintenance calls.
- Extend life of piping and other components.
- Increased creature comfort.
- Increased heat transfer efficiency.
- Reduce water hammer.
- Reduce steam usage.
- Reduced back-pressure in return line.
- Reduced heat exchanger bundle and coil issues.
- $10 to more than $100 loss per day on a blow through high pressure trap.
- Testing traps includes a comprehensive building inspection.
Steam traps are used to minimize steam loss, alleviate condensate in the system, prevent corrosion in the steam pipes and promote air and carbon dioxide ventilation. The overall cost savings to the University compared to the materials and labor costs of the program may be seen in the following chart:steam trap savings.