Top 10 Tips for Choosing a Circulation Pump

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of circulation pumps?
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VORTEX

UNIPUMP

Grundfos

Wilo

GILEX

Total voted: 6

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In the description of any circulation pump, you can find parameters such as performance, thermal power and throughput. They are all measured in cubic meters per hour and are the same characteristic, just named differently. If the performance is calculated correctly, then all the batteries in the house will be the same temperature, as well as hot water at the sampling points.

For the calculation, a complex scheme is used, presented in the relevant regulations. But there is also a simplified formula. To calculate, it is necessary to multiply the boiler power by 0.86 and divide by 20. The result obtained will be the value that must be selected in the pump parameters.

There is a misconception that the height of the water column (HWC) indicates how high the water can rise. In fact this is not true. The parameter is used to calculate the extent of the contour. If we take the average value, then for every 10 meters of the pipeline, approximately 0.6 VVS is required. To calculate which pump you need, you need to take the length of all the pipes in the house, divide it by 10 and multiply by 0.6.

For example, we have a circuit with a length of 90 meters. We use our formula and get the number 5.4. We add here the calculation error and conclude that we need a circulation pump with a water column height of at least 6 meters.This parameter is also necessary if you have underfloor heating in your house. Here the circuit does not change, but a pump with a very high value will already be required.

There are two types of circulation pumps: dry rotor and wet. The difference lies in the design of the unit, but it does not make much sense to delve into it. It is much more important to understand how these parameters affect the quality and technical characteristics.

In case of dry rotor we have a very high efficiency of about 80%. Wet system boasts only 50% efficiency. At the same time, a wet rotor pump is less attractive, as it requires frequent maintenance. Suspension particles, inevitably present in the water, gradually destroy the sealed gaskets. And if they are not eliminated, a leak will appear. The average service life of such a unit is 3 years. While a dry rotor serves for 10 years or more.

Note that most modern models are produced precisely on a wet system, since despite the lower efficiency and service life, their other characteristics are higher. In addition, a wet rotor does not make noise during operation, unlike a dry one. Dry circuit circulation pumps are most often installed in technical rooms where it is possible to frequently repair the device, and high efficiency is the most important factor.

The coolant temperature is an important parameter that shows how hot water the device can distill without damaging the structure. Heating in the house can be different. Average the coolant heats up to 70-90 degrees. This value is in the characteristics of the boiler, and in the pump it is necessary to add a few degrees to the error so that there is a margin.

The situation is more complicated with solid fuel boilers, where the heating level is almost impossible to regulate, and at the output we can get 120 degrees. It is important that the pump can cope with such values. When using heaters without regulation, it is better to take the device with the highest allowable temperature. It will cost a little more, but it will not fail in case of accidental overheating, the probability of which is very high.

It is equally important to look at what the pump is made of. Most cheap models are made of plastic, a material by definition brittle and poorly resistant to high temperatures. But do not immediately abandon such a device. For example, the well-known company Grundfos produces pumps from a resistant polymer, which is not inferior to metal in terms of characteristics.

The most popular are cast iron models. Cast iron is durable and can handle high temperatures and cold very well. And also practically not subject to corrosion. The disadvantage of this design will be a lot of weight, but with standard sizes of the circulation pump, ranging from 130 to 180 millimeters, it makes no sense to pay attention to it at all.

In everyday life, situations often occur that can disable the circulation pump: power outages, water cuts, a sharp drop in pressure, power surges, and so on. The best device should cope with all.

For example, all Grundfos and Vilo models are equipped with drying out protection. If the system runs out of water, the pump will simply stop. There are also overheating protection, especially relevant when used in heating on solid fuel boilers. In top models you can also find Surge Protectorsbuilt into the system. They do not allow the pump to burn out from power surges, and in some cases they can also switch to autonomous power if it is in the house.

The choice of functionality is individual, but if there are risk factors in your home (power outages, water cuts, solid fuel boilers), then it makes sense to overpay for options that protect the pump. Otherwise, later repair or replacement of the unit will cost much more.

The best pump must have circuit pressure regulation. It will allow you to change the flow of the coolant depending on the ambient temperature. The faster the hot water is pumped, the warmer it will be in the house, and vice versa. Most often there are models with three degrees of adjustment, which can be both mechanical and electronic.

A nice addition would be information display, showing what is happening in the system at the moment. As a rule, the temperature of the carrier, the pumping speed and the performance of the device are noted there.

Some models even have interactive module, capable of sending information to your smartphone or computer. It is difficult to say how much such a function is necessary, but if you decide to choose just such a device, the occurrence of unforeseen situations will be minimized.

The piping system can be placed anywhere. There are no strict guidelines forcing you to put them horizontally or vertically. But for the pump it is important. Top Models placed in any position, even at an angle. They also have limitations, but they only concern a too strong negative slope, which is unlikely to be found in a standard interchange anyway.

Budget devices are installed in only one position, and this should be immediately taken into account when buying. If the pump is placed only horizontally, then when placed vertically, it will either not work at all, or its performance will decrease. Note that today the placement restrictions are found only in the cheapest models.

The circulation pump is powered by electricity, constantly consuming it. If we are talking about heating, then the load will be constant. And if the pump works on the supply of hot water, then it turns on only at the time of selection. It is easy to understand that the more powerful the device, the more electricity it needs. Often, the more “gluttonous” the model, the more powerful it is, since more power requires a lot of energy.

True, you can always choose a more expensive, but economical model, which, with high power, will take little voltage. So it will turn out to save on electricity, giving more money for the unit. Whether it is worth overpaying for such a function, everyone decides for himself. But it should be understood that saving a few watts will become noticeable only in the very long term.

The market leader in circulation pumps is the Danish company Grundfos (Grundfos), producing pumps with any parameters and for any purpose. You can choose a model to suit your needs, no matter how complex they may be. Also, these pumps are equipped with advanced protection systems and have a long service life.

On the heels of the Danes comes the company Wilo, which users praise for reliability and durability, as well as for strict compliance with the declared parameters. The pumps of the manufacturer have been working for years and perfectly perform their main function.

There are worthy analogues among Russian brands. For example, UNIPUMP and Caliber. Their pumps are cheaper, but they are practically not inferior in quality. This is an advantageous option when the budget for the installation of the unit is limited.

Note also the Chinese models JEMIX, Millennium and Ondo. These are the most inexpensive options, but worthy of attention.True, one should be careful here, since the declared technical characteristics often do not correspond to reality. When buying such a pump, it is better to choose a model with a margin, and if you have a warm floor at home, then completely abandon it in favor of a more expensive, but reliable option.