The Carbon Trust just launched the latest in their series of Expert in Energy guides for organisations, focusing on boilers and heat distribution.

Ok, it's not the sexiest subject in the world, but you can't argue with the numbers –  the Carbon Trust's experts estimate that UK organisations could save more than £400m a year by making simple, low-cost tweaks to their heating systems.

For your organisation, that means saving of up to 30% on heating costs which, needless to say, you're free to spend on the sexiest things you can persuade the boss to sign off on.

Heating water uses a huge amount of energy so if you want to cut your bill and boost your bottom line, checking your boiler is not a bad place to start.
- Richard Rugg, director of Carbon Trust programmes

The new guides cover both steam and high temperature hot water boilers and low temperature hot water boilers guides.

The Carbon Trust is also running a free webinar on how to bring down running costs and improve the efficiency of your hot water boilers, starting at midday on 7 March 2012.

Download the guides and sign up to secure your webinar place at www.carbontrust.co.uk/expertinenergy.

The Carbon Trust's top tips for boilers

• Keep them maintained - Over time mechanical components can become worn which can affect combustion efficiency. Therefore burners and their controls need to be checked at regular intervals and adjusted as necessary.
• Minimize heat losses - Keep boiler insulation in good condition. All pipework, valves, flanges and fittings in the boilerhouse should be adequately insulated and valve mats/covers should be replaced after maintenance work.
• Implement effective water treatment - Impurities and contaminants in water can really hit a boiler's efficiency, so a proper treatment and conditioning regime is essential.
• Produce a maintenance manual - Detail records of work done, the person responsible, and when they were completed. Formalising maintenance in this manner should help ensure that routine tasks aren't neglected and will highlight ongoing problems.
• Consult your boiler manufacturer - Find out what the recommended TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level is and compare this with your current operating regime.
• Consider boiler replacement – In the longer term, if a boiler is more than 15 years old, or if it is showing signs of inefficient operation, it may need replacing. Make sure you think about capacity/size requirements, boiler compatibility and financial and environmental impact in the process.

Grab the full set of tips and resources over on the Carbon Trust's expert in energy page, or call their advice line on 0800 085 2005.