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Plant Engineering Calculator

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Condensate Recovery Energy Savings Calculator — Heat, Water & Fuel

Estimate recoverable sensible heat in returned condensate relative to makeup water, then convert it to boiler-fuel equivalent and annual energy value.

Live calculationWorking shownPrivate in browser

Inputs

Results

Recovered sensible heat 139.53 kW
Fuel-input equivalent 164.16 kW
Annual fuel energy avoided 984941 kWh
Annual value $39398
More actions

Shared links reopen these inputs. Recent and saved calculations stay in this browser unless you clear site data.

Formula

Q=m·Cp·(Tcond−Tmakeup); fuel equivalent=Q/ηboiler.

Your calculation, step by step

These steps use the values currently entered above so the result can be checked independently.

  1. 1.Condensate temperature advantage = 90.00 − 30.00 = 60.00 °C.
  2. 2.Recovered sensible heat = 2000.00 × 4.186 × 60.00 ÷ 3600 = 139.5333 kW.
  3. 3.Fuel-input equivalent = 139.5333 ÷ (85.00% ÷ 100) = 164.1569 kW.
  4. 4.Annual avoided fuel energy = 164.1569 × 6000 = 984941.2 kWh; value = $39397.65.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter measured or design values using the units shown beside each field.
  2. Review the live results and the substituted calculation steps before using the estimate.
  3. Check the assumptions below, then continue to a related calculator when the next engineering decision needs another model.

Worked example

Returning 2,000 kg/h condensate 60°C hotter than makeup carries roughly 139 kW of sensible heat using water Cp≈4.186 kJ/kgK.

Assumptions and limits

  • This screen values sensible heat only; flash-steam recovery is a separate thermodynamic job.
  • Account for actual condensate quality, contamination and return-system losses.

How to interpret the result

Treat the primary result as an engineering screening value, then use the secondary outputs to understand scale, energy or operating impact. Confirm site measurements, equipment limits and applicable standards before making a design or control change.

Questions engineers ask

Why is condensate recovery valued relative to makeup-water temperature?

Returned hot condensate avoids heating an equivalent mass of colder makeup water through that temperature difference. The sensible heat m·Cp·ΔT is therefore the baseline thermal value before boiler-efficiency correction.

Does this include water and chemical savings?

No. This owner focuses on sensible heat and fuel-equivalent energy. Condensate return can also reduce makeup water, treatment and blowdown, so use the related condensate/water owners when a full economic case is needed.

What about flash steam from hot condensate?

Flash steam is a phase-change calculation tied to pressure reduction and enthalpy. It is intentionally excluded from this sensible-heat owner and should be evaluated with a steam-property-based flash calculation.

Continue the calculation

Use the next calculator in the same engineering workflow instead of restarting from search.

condensate returnflash steamboiler makeup water
Methodology. MAXScanner shows the governing formula, entered values and calculation outputs so the estimate is auditable. The calculator is a screening aid; assumptions and equipment-specific limits remain part of the engineering review.