A method for operating a heating group subsystem of a machine for the production or treatment of a fibrous web. The heating group subsystem includes a first heating group and a last heating group and at least one additional heating group; in each case having at least one device that is heated with pressurized heating steam. Viewed in a direction of travel, the fibrous web is fed first through the first heating group, then through the at least one additional heating group, and thereafter through last heating group. The steam pressure of the heating steam of the at least one additional heating group is adjusted lower than the respective steam pressure of the heating steam of first heating group and of last heating group.