Your Cart
Your cart is empty.
Browse the store →Your cart is empty.
Browse the store →Local Law 87 requires buildings over 50,000 square feet to conduct an energy audit and retro-commissioning every ten years. With the March 31, 2026 deadline approaching, here is exactly what auditors measure and how to prepare.
Buildings over 50,000 square feet on the 10-year audit cycle face a firm deadline: March 31, 2026 for the 2025 cycle LL87 Energy Audit and Retro-Commissioning report.
2026 deadline
LL87 audit due
Square feet
Buildings required to file
Audit cycle
Retro-commissioning required
Most building owners treat this as a paperwork exercise. The auditor walks the building, checks a few boxes, files the report, and everyone moves on.
In 2026, that changes. The 2025-2026 audit cycle is the first to occur after LL97 penalties went into effect. Auditors are now trained to look for root causes of inefficiency, not just symptoms.
Auditors are now cross-referencing LL87 findings with LL84 benchmarking data and LL97 emissions reports. If your audit shows deferred maintenance, the DOB will assume your emissions reports are inaccurate.
High stack temperature = scale insulation = heat going up chimney instead of into water.
Low delta-T = fouled heat transfer surfaces = scale buildup reducing efficiency.
Cold return = heat loss in pipes = internal scale or insulation failure.
Measurement | What's Normal | What Flags an Issue |
|---|---|---|
Boiler stack temp | Design spec ± 25°F | >100°F above design = scale insulation |
Heat exchanger delta-T | Design spec (often 20°F) | <80% of design = fouling |
Hot water return | 110-120°F | <110°F = heat loss in pipes |
Heat exchanger fouled: "Replace heat exchanger" - $15,000 to $50,000
Boiler short-cycling: "Replace boiler" - $150,000 to $500,000
Recirculation loss: "Replace risers" - $500,000 to $2,000,000
Descale in place: Restore efficiency without replacement
Document improvement: Show auditor verified efficiency gain
Extend equipment life: 5-7 more years from existing systems
The auditor's verdict: "Verified efficiency improvement. No replacement required."
Company: Beijing Thermal Engineering Company
Application: Plate heat exchangers in hot water systems
Plate heat exchangers are particularly vulnerable to scale because of their narrow passages and high heat transfer rates. Beijing Thermal Engineering was using chemical scale inhibition products, but wanted a non-chemical solution that required no ongoing maintenance.
Vulcan was installed to replace chemical scale inhibition products. The goal: prevent plate heat exchanger scaling in hot water systems without chemicals, salt, or ongoing maintenance. For this application, the Vulcan S25 or S50 provided the right capacity.
Chemical scale inhibition eliminated
Plate heat exchangers protected from scaling
Delta-T maintained at design specifications
No ongoing maintenance or chemical handling
Why This Matters for Your LL87 Audit: When the auditor measures delta-T on your heat exchangers, they'll see numbers at design spec. No flags, no replacement recommendations, just a check mark in the "properly maintained" column.
Beijing Thermal Engineering — Plate heat exchangers protected, chemicals eliminated
Heat exchangers return to manufacturer-specified temperature differential. Auditors see "properly maintained."
Boilers operate at design efficiency. No flags for scale insulation.
Clean pipes mean heat stays in the water, not lost to scale insulation.
Installation dates, pre/post measurements, and verified improvements ready to show.
"Verified efficiency improvement. No replacement required. Equipment properly maintained."
You have approximately 60 days before the March 31 LL87 deadline to perform internal inspections and install remediation equipment.
1
Pull your 2015 LL87 audit. Compare equipment conditions then vs. now.
2
Measure hot water return temps. Below 110°F = problem.
3
Boroscope boiler tubes. Buildup thicker than a credit card = money lost.
4
Install Vulcan, document baseline, measure improvement before audit.
Don't wait for the auditor to find what you could have fixed.
Sample ROI Calculation
Heat exchanger replacement (flagged in audit) | $15,000 - $50,000 |
Boiler replacement (flagged in audit) | $150,000 - $500,000 |
DOB violations and permit delays | $10,000+ |
Vulcan model (typical installation) | |
Audit outcome with Vulcan | "Verified. No replacement needed." |
For precise pricing tailored to your building's specifications:
Existing customers: Log in to your account to view model-specific pricing
New users: Create a free account to access detailed pricing and configuration options
Need assistance? Contact our team for a pre-audit assessment
Account registration takes less than 2 minutes.
* Savings vary based on building size, equipment condition, and audit findings.
Different building sizes require different Vulcan models. Create an account to view detailed specifications and pricing.
Building Size | Typical Equipment | Recommended Model | Pipe Size | Flow Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
50k-100k sq ft | Boilers, heat exchangers, DHW | Vulcan S10 or S25 | 3-4" | 65-130 GPM |
100k-250k sq ft | Multiple boilers, central plant | Vulcan S50 or S100 | 5-6" | 300-530 GPM |
250k-500k+ sq ft | Large central plants, district systems | Vulcan S150 or larger | 8-40" | 790+ GPM |
Pull your 2015 LL87 audit and compare equipment conditions
Measure hot water return temperatures at the farthest point
Boroscope boiler tubes to check for scale buildup
Measure heat exchanger delta-T on all critical systems
Document any efficiency deficiencies with photos and data
Install Vulcan to address scale issues before the audit
Measure and document post-installation improvements
Prepare your Good Faith file with all documentation
About Waslix and Vulcan Technology
Waslix provides non-chemical, maintenance-free scale prevention using Vulcan technology. All Vulcan units are secured via our specialized anchor mounting system, providing a permanent, vibration-resistant fit for industrial pipes. Vulcan uses custom-tailored impulse bands to treat water flow electronically, preventing calcium and magnesium from forming hard deposits while leaving the water's chemical composition unchanged.
Pipe diameters from ½ inch to 40 inch
Works on every pipe material: iron, inox, copper, stainless steel, galvanized iron, plastic, PVC, PE-x, hose, compound pipes
Fully cast in acrylic for optimal quality endurance
Do-it-Yourself installation without cutting pipes
Zero salt, zero chemicals, zero maintenance
"When was the last time you cleaned your heat exchangers?"
"What is your current boiler efficiency compared to nameplate?"
"Why is your delta-T measuring 12°F when design is 20°F?"
"What maintenance have you performed on the hot water system?"
"Can you show me records of scale prevention measures?"
"Have you noticed any change in hot water delivery times?"
With Vulcan documentation, you have answers ready.
March 31 is coming fast. Don't let scale force expensive replacements.
Waslix provides non-chemical, maintenance-free scale prevention using Vulcan technology. We help building owners pass LL87 audits by keeping heat exchangers, boilers, and pipes operating at design efficiency. Create an account for detailed model specifications and pricing.
Shop with an expert. We're here to help.
Call us: 412-848-5058
sales@vulcandescaler.com
VulcanDescaler.com is owned and managed by Waslix, LLC. Vulcan and its logos are registered trademarks of CWT (Germany).