Which of the following describes the primary reason for the use of economizers in steam systems?

The primary reason for using economizers in steam systems is to reduce energy consumption. Economizers are heat exchange devices that recover residual heat from the flue gases before they exit the boiler and use that energy to preheat the feedwater entering the boiler. By preheating the feedwater, the economizer reduces the amount of fuel required to reach the necessary temperature for steam production. This efficiency leads to a decrease in overall energy costs and improves the system's operational efficiency, ultimately contributing to better sustainability in energy use.

In steam systems, enhancing efficiency is critical, and economizers provide a practical method to achieve this by maximizing heat recovery and lowering fuel consumption, resulting in both economic and environmental benefits.