What is a consequence of using cold city water as makeup in a low pressure boiler system?

Using cold city water as makeup in a low pressure boiler system can indeed lead to lower overall boiler efficiency due to the specific characteristics of this water. Cold city water often contains impurities and minerals that can adversely affect boiler performance. When this water is introduced into the system, it usually requires more energy to heat it to the desired temperature for efficient operation.

This increased energy requirement may not only directly impact fuel consumption but can also lead to degradation of the boiler system over time. Moreover, if the water is not pre-treated or conditioned, it can contribute to issues such as corrosion or fouling, which would further reduce efficiency. Overall, the introduction of cold city water without proper conditioning can lead to a less efficient boiling process, thus impacting the entire heating system's performance negatively.

Meanwhile, other options, like increased risk of scale formation, higher steam pressure, and faster heating times, do not accurately reflect the main consequences of using cold city water as makeup. Cold city water typically leads to inefficiencies rather than the formation of scale or increased pressure since those aspects are influenced by water temperature and chemical composition, rather than just its initial temperature.