Energy Audits

Until now, evaluating the efficiency of an industrial technical insulation system was often based on assumptions, estimates or generic parameters.

As of December 1, 2024, with the entry into force of EN 17956:2024, companies finally have an objective, measurable and independent tool to evaluate the energy performance of their insulation system.

This is a paradigm shift that can transform an often neglected area, of the system, into a concrete lever of performance, sustainability and competitiveness.

What the standard EN 17956:2024 provides and why it marks a turning point

EN 17956:2024 is a European standard designed to bring transparency, comparability and scientific method to the evaluation of technical insulation systems.

At its heart is an energy rating system that assigns a score from A (highest efficiency) to G (lowest), based on the density of heat loss flux.

In practice: the more effective an insulation is at retaining energy, the higher its class will be. On the other hand, if it lets too much heat through (beyond the maximum value of class F), it will be classified as G.

This methodology represents a revolution for several reasons:

• It is independent of the material used, since it evaluates the actual performance, not the brand or type of insulation.
• It is applicable to any geometry, such as piping, flat surfaces, special components and any other shapes found in complex industrial plants.
• It covers a wide temperature range, from -30°C to +650°C.
• It is replicable and comparable, so any company can get a consistent and comparable assessment with that of other operators or plants.

For companies, this is a clear opportunity: to know exactly where, how much and why they are losing energy, in order to take targeted action.

But how does the EN 17956:2024 standard apply in practice? We look at it in the next few lines.

How the method works (and what it allows you to do)

The classification process according to EN 17956:2024 is structured in four key steps, designed to accompany the company from goal setting to reading the results.

1. Selecting the efficiency class

It always starts with a strategic choice: What is the level of energy efficiency I want (or can) achieve?

Choosing the desired class (from A to F) allows you to calibrate the intervention according to the expected ROI.

2. Identifying the process temperature

 Every plant has specific operating conditions. By indicating the operating temperature, you can calculate the thickness needed and the most suitable type of insulation to fall within the selected class.

3. Defining the geometry

The shape, size and type of the surface or component to be insulated (pipes, surfaces, flanges, etc.) are specified. This step is essential for reliable simulations.

4. Interpretation of results

The system returns the maximum allowable dispersion value for the chosen class, along with an indication of the minimum space required to meet it. This way you can check whether your current insulation is adequate–or how far you are from your goal.

From “technical cost” to strategic lever: the benefits for your company

Too often technical insulation is treated as a passive item in maintenance budgets, with invisible losses that, on a European scale, translate into huge economic costs every year.

Adopting EN 17956:2024 means changing your perspective:

• You can accurately measure the efficiency of your insulation, with real data, not assumptions.
• You can identify critical points in your system and plan a revamp with a measurable return on investment.
• You can compare different solutions, without relying only on data sheets or sales brochures.
• You can demonstrate compliance with regulations such as EED and IED, which are increasingly central to sustainability policies.
• And above all: you can reduce consumption and costs, improving competitiveness and reducing your environmental footprint.

Do you want to know how to apply EN 17956:2024 to your plant ?

At New Componit, we can support you step by step: from the initial assessment to the performance simulation and the proposal of tailor-made solutions to meet the highest standards.

Get in touch with us to request a simulation based on the TIPCHECK method, our energy diagnosis protocol useful for identifying heat loss and quantifying potential savings.

You’ll find out where you’re losing energy and how much you could really save.

Because today, insulation is no longer just protection.

It’s a competitive advantage.

Want to improve comfort and performance in your plant with a tailored solution?

More and more frequently we hear about Tipcheck, the energy audit. Especially those who work in chemical and pharmaceutical fields will have already heard about it and know the opportunities for energy savings that open up with this analysis.

Although the issue of energy saving is increasingly topical, also because of: increase of price and EU sustainability objectives, many companies still have doubts about this opportunity.

In particular, many people ask themselves: what an energy efficiency implies in practice, what benefits it entails but also what is the initial investment, as well as what is the repayment time.

So let us clarify.

Let’s start from Tipcheck, which, as I said, is an energy audit on plants, which has the scope of drawing up a detailed report about the possible thermal insulation interventions to be implemented in order to reduce energy consumption, achieving real and measurable energy savings.

It is a standardized instrument put in action by the Eiif, the European Industrial Insulation Foundation, with the aim of providing the industrial sector with tools and solutions to save energy and reduce CO₂ emissions.

The audit can only be carried out by Eiif’s partner companies, which have been accredited by the certifying agency. This last point may seem obvious but it is not.

In fact, when a matter, such as energy saving, becomes so topical, there are many competent subjects or not who want to “sell” the ideal solution to save on bills.

So my first advice is: pay attention to the interlocutor with whom you choose to collaborate!

The advantages of Tipcheck

The Tipcheck audit highlights how a series of insulation interventions can bring immediate benefits to the company, such as:

• reducing production costs;
• increasing energy efficiency;
• reduction of CO₂ emissions;
• improving process efficiency;
• reducing risks to personnel and equipment;
• increasing of business competitiveness.

But I want to remind you that Tipcheck is an audit, so a first step towards energy efficiency, which then a series of concrete insulation interventions should follow.

Furthermore, Tipcheck follows a standardized analysis protocol; therefore, when you reach the implementation step of the recommended indication stated in the report, it is suggested to collaborate with a supplier able to understand the specific needs of your plant and therefore propose the ideal solution.

I say this because recently we at New Componit worked with a company, in the tanneries field, for which we carried out a detailed energy analysis followed by a tailor-made intervention.

We have, in fact, installed insulating jackets in several hotspots which led to energy savings even higher than their expectations.

I finish by saying that, if today there are still many doubts about the benefits of insulation, I think that the Tipcheck is a great tool to overcome some unfounded reservations and evaluate the economic return (and not only) of an investment that still may scare some companies.

We at New Componit are official members of the Eiif (European Industrial Insulation Foundation) since 2019; our accredited staff has been certified to carry out plant inspections and draw up energy-saving insulation studies.

We aim to find insulation solutions, designed according to specific customer needs, focusing on three key factors:

• the temperatures;
• the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere;
• the resulting economic savings.

Want to improve comfort and performance in your plant with a tailored solution?