How to install a circulation pump. The procedure for installing a circulation pump in a heating system

The circulation pump increases the efficiency of the autonomous heating system and allows 100% use of all heating circuits.

Professional installation of a heating pump guarantees high performance, reduces operating noise and reduces maintenance and repair costs. Installing the device does not cause any particular difficulties, but there are a number of nuances that are important to consider.

We will tell you how to choose a circulation pump, help you decide on the optimal scheme for inserting equipment into the system, outline installation requirements, and also provide step-by-step instructions for installing the device.

Previously, circulation pumps were used only in centralized heating systems, and for private housing construction the natural movement of the coolant caused by temperature differences was the norm.

Now forced circulation is used everywhere thanks to the emergence of compact and inexpensive models designed to service the heating networks of small houses and cottages.

With the advent of circulation pumps, the number of circuit solutions has expanded. It became possible to lay long highways of varying complexity, while the dependence on slope practically disappeared

Due to the increase in the speed of movement of the coolant in the pipeline, thermal energy flows faster to the heating radiators, and accordingly, the rooms are warmed up faster. The load on the boiler has decreased because the water is also heated faster.

The need to install bulky and inconvenient large-diameter pipelines has disappeared; the contours have become easier to camouflage under the floor covering or be buried in the walls.

It has become possible to install a “warm floor” system on any floor of a private house, which operates effectively only at a certain pressure in the network

The main disadvantage of pumps for heating systems is their dependence on electricity. If the power supply is intermittent or there is a risk of a complete power outage for some period, it is necessary to install a backup power generator or at least an uninterruptible power supply.

The remaining disadvantages relate to the designs and functionality of various types of devices. For example, monoblock units and devices with a dry rotor are noisier and require constant maintenance, while a pump with a wet rotor is demanding on the quality of the coolant and has a pressure limitation.

Criteria for proper selection of equipment

All installation efforts will be reduced to zero if the equipment is selected incorrectly. In order not to make a mistake, it is necessary to first analyze all aspects of a particular heating system and make the necessary calculations.

Main types of pumps

According to their design features, all devices are divided into 2 categories: with a wet and dry rotor.

Wet pumps. This option is suitable for private homes. The unit is compact, almost silent and has a modular structure that is convenient for maintenance and repair.

But, unfortunately, it does not have high productivity - the maximum efficiency of modern models reaches 52-54%.

Circulation devices for heating networks should not be confused with similar devices for hot water supply. The heating pump does not require an anti-corrosion bronze or stainless steel housing and additional protection against scale - accordingly, it is cheaper

Dry rotor pumps productive, unpretentious to the quality of the coolant, capable of working under high pressure and do not require a strictly horizontal location on the pipe. However, they are noisier, and their operation is accompanied by vibration. Many models are installed on a foundation or metal support frame.

For installation of console, monoblock or “In-line” models it is necessary. It is advisable to use them when a flow rate of more than 100 m³/h is required, that is, for servicing groups of cottages or apartment buildings.

Brief overview of technical characteristics

When choosing a pump, you should definitely study the technical characteristics and compare them with the requirements of the heating system.

The following indicators are important:

pressure, which covers hydraulic losses in the circuit;
performance– volume of water or supply for a certain time interval;
operating coolant temperature, max and min – for modern models on average +2 ºС… +110 ºС;
power– taking into account hydraulic losses, mechanical power prevails over useful power.

Structural details are also important, for example, the inlet/outlet diameter of the pipes. For heating systems, the average parameters are 25 mm and 32 mm.

The number of electric pumps is selected based on the length of the heating main. If the total length of the circuits is up to 80 m, one device is sufficient; if more, additional devices will be required

An example of a unit for equipping a residential heating network with an area of 100 m² is a pump Grundfos UPS with a 32 mm pipe connection, a capacity of 62 l/s and a weight of 3.65 kg. The compact and low-noise cast iron device is inaudible even behind a thin partition, and its power is sufficient to transport liquid to the 2nd floor.

Pumps with built-in electronics allow you to quickly switch equipment to a more convenient mode depending on changes in temperature or pressure in the network. Automatic devices are equipped with digital displays that provide maximum information on the operation of the pump: temperature, resistance, pressure, etc.

Additional information on the calculation and selection of a circulation pump for heating is presented in the articles:

Requirements for installation of a circulation pump

There are a number of standards that regulate at the legislative level the installation of a circulation pump in a heating system. Some of the rules are set out in SNiP 2.04.05 “Heating...”. For example, it talks about priority in heating networks.

Almost all requirements are justified by the operating efficiency of the system as a whole and the circulation device in particular. For example, the shaft of a device with a wet rotor must be installed on the pipe strictly horizontally in level so that there are no air pockets inside and the pump parts do not wear out prematurely.

A mandatory element of the system is an expansion tank that compensates for changes in the volume of coolant during heating/cooling. Its place in a closed system is on the return line, in front of the circulation pump

A filter for dirt and abrasive particles is needed in any case, even when installing monolithic models. Filtered coolant will cause much less damage to pump parts than liquid with sand and suspended matter.

The mudguard is installed with the plug down in the direction of water movement to reduce resistance and facilitate system maintenance.

Some rules are dictated by manufacturers. For example, it was customary to install old models of certain brands exclusively on the return line, since they could not withstand high temperatures.

Now pumps have become more versatile and can be installed in any suitable location, but subject to power parameters.

Analysis of installation technology

The installation process itself is quick; to secure the housing, you need to secure two union nuts. This is very convenient for further maintenance and repair work. But before installation, it is necessary to choose the right installation location, otherwise the pump will either work intermittently or will soon fail.

Schemes for inserting a pump into the network

When choosing one of the schemes, it is necessary to take into account the type of heating system, boiler model and ease of maintenance.

Option 1. This is the most common solution: the pump is mounted on the “return”, through which the cooled coolant returns to the boiler. Warm water does not have such an aggressive effect on the parts of the device, so it lasts longer.

Modern devices can easily withstand high temperatures, but there are still experts who reject such a scheme.

Heating systems are divided into systems with natural (gravity) and forced circulation. In systems with forced circulation, the installation of a circulation pump is required. Its task is to ensure the movement of coolant through the system at a given speed. And in order for it to cope with its task, you must choose the right circulation pump.

Purpose and types

As already mentioned, the main task of the circulation pump is to provide the required speed of coolant movement through the pipes. For systems with forced circulation, only under such conditions will the design capacity be achieved. During operation of the circulator, the pressure in the system increases slightly, but this is not its task. It's more of a side effect. There are special ones to increase the pressure in the system.

There are two types of circulation pumps: dry and wet rotor. They differ in design, but perform the same tasks. To choose what type of circulation pump you want to install, you need to know their advantages and disadvantages.

With dry rotor

It got its name due to its design features. Only the impeller is immersed in the coolant; the rotor is in a sealed housing, separated from the liquid by several sealing rings.

The design of a circulation pump with a dry rotor - only the impeller is in the water

These devices have the following properties:

They have high efficiency - about 80%. And this is their main advantage.
Requires regular maintenance. During operation, solid particles contained in the coolant fall on the sealing rings, breaking the tightness. Maintenance is required to prevent depressurization.
Service life is about 3 years.
During operation they produce a high level of noise.

This set of characteristics is not very suitable for installation in heating systems of private houses. Their main advantage is high efficiency, which means lower energy consumption. Therefore, in large networks, circulation pumps with a dry rotor are more economical, and are mainly used there.

With wet rotor

As the name implies, in equipment of this type, both the impeller and the rotor are located in the liquid. The electrical part, including the starter, is enclosed in a sealed metal cup.

Wet rotor pump design - only the electrical part is dry

This type of equipment has the following properties:

Efficiency is about 50%. Not the best indicator, but for small private heating systems this is not critical.
No maintenance required.
Service life is 5-10 years depending on the brand, operating mode and condition of the coolant.
During operation they are almost inaudible.

Based on the above properties, choosing a circulation pump by type is not difficult: most people choose devices with a wet rotor, since they are more suitable for working in an apartment or private house.

How to choose a circulation pump

Each circulation pump has a set of technical characteristics. They are selected individually for the parameters of each system.

Selecting technical specifications

Let's start with the selection of technical characteristics. There are a lot of formulas for professional calculations, but to select a pump for the heating system of a private house or apartment, you can get by with average standards:

Selecting a circulation pump for heating following these rules is not difficult. Elementary calculations. But it must be said that these figures are statistical averages. If your house at some point differs greatly from the “average”, you need to make adjustments either towards increasing or decreasing technical characteristics. For example, you have insulated your house well, but the power of the previously purchased boiler turned out to be excessive. In this case, it makes sense to choose a pump with a lower capacity. In the opposite situation - the house is chilly in extreme cold - you can install a more efficient circulator. It will temporarily solve the problem (in the future you will need to either insulate or change the boiler).

Model selection

When choosing a specific model, pay attention to the graph with the pressure characteristics of the pump. On the graph you need to find the point where the pressure and productivity values intersect. It should be located in the middle third of the curve. If it does not fall on one of the curves (there are usually several of them, characterizing different models), take the model whose graph is closer. If the point is in the middle, take the less productive one (the one located below).

What else to pay attention to

In the technical characteristics of circulation pumps there are several more items that are worth paying attention to. The first is the permissible temperature of the pumped medium. That is, the temperature of the coolant. In high-quality products this indicator ranges from +110°C to +130°C. In cheap ones it can be lower - up to 90°C (but in fact 70-80°C). If your system is designed as a low-temperature system, this is not a big deal, but if you have a solid fuel boiler, the temperature to which the coolant can be heated is very important.

It is worth paying attention to the maximum pressure at which the pump can operate. In the heating system of a private house, it is rarely higher than 3-4 atm (this is for a two-story house), but normally it is 1.5-2 atm. But still, pay attention to this indicator.

Something else to pay attention to is the material from which the case is made. The optimal one is cast iron, the cheaper one is made of special heat-resistant plastic.

Connection type and size. The circulation pump can have threaded or flanged connections. The thread can be external or internal - appropriate adapters are selected for it. Connection sizes can be: G1, G2, G3/4.

It is also worth paying attention to the presence of protection. There may be dry-running protection. In circulation pumps with a wet rotor, it is very desirable, since the cooling of the motor occurs due to the moving medium. If there is no water, the motor overheats and fails.

Another type of protection is overheating protection. If the motor heats up to a critical value, the thermal relay turns off the power and the pump stops. These two features will extend the life of the equipment.

Manufacturers and prices

Name	Performance	Pressure	Number of speeds	Connection dimensions	Maximum working pressure	Power	Housing material	Price
Grundfos UPS 25-80	130 l/min	8 m	3	G 1 1/2"	10 bar	170 W	Cast iron	15476 RUR
Caliber NTs-15/6	40 l/min	6 m	3	external thread G1	6 atm	90 W	Cast iron	2350 rub.
BELAMOS BRS25/4G	48 l/min	4.5 m	3	external thread G1	10 atm	72 W	Cast iron	2809 RUR
Gilex Compass 25/80 280	133.3 l/min	8.5 m	3	external thread G1	6 atm	220 W	Cast iron	6300 rub.
Elitech NP 1216/9E	23 l/min	9 m	1	external thread G 3/4	10 atm	105 W	Cast iron	4800 rub.
Marina-Speroni SCR 25/40-180 S	50 l/min	4 m	1	external thread G1	10 atm	60 W	Cast iron	5223 RUR
Grundfos UPA 15-90	25 l/min	8 m	1	external thread G 3/4	6 atm	120 W	Cast iron	6950 rub.
Wilo Star-RS 15/2-130	41.6 l/min	2.6 m	3	internal thread G1		45 W	Cast iron	5386 RUR

Please note that all specifications are based on water movement. If the coolant in the system is a non-freezing liquid, adjustments must be made. You will have to contact the manufacturer for relevant data for this type of coolant. It was not possible to find similar characteristics in other sources.

The circulation pump increases the efficiency of the autonomous heating system and makes it possible to use all heating circuits 100%. Professional installation of a pump in the heating system of a private home allows you to reduce repair and maintenance costs, as well as reduce operating noise and guarantee more efficient performance.

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General information

Until relatively recently, circulation pumps were used only in centralized heating schemes, and for private houses the natural movement of the coolant due to temperature differences was considered the norm. Today, forced circulation is used almost everywhere thanks to the advent of small and inexpensive devices that are designed specifically for servicing the heating system of private cottages.

By increasing the speed of movement of the coolant in the pipes, heat flows faster to the radiators, and accordingly, all rooms are heated almost instantly. The load on boiler equipment is reduced, since heating of the liquid also occurs faster.

Installation of a GRUNDFOS circulation pump in a heating system. Bypass installation

There is no longer any need to connect inconvenient and bulky large cross-section pipes. It has become easier to hide contours under the floor covering.

The main disadvantage of circulation pumps is their dependence on electricity. If the electricity supply is intermittent, then installation of a backup power source is required. The remaining disadvantages relate to the functionality and design of devices of various types. For example, monoblock and rotary pumps are noisier and require regular maintenance, while a pump with a wet type of operation is more demanding on the quality of the coolant.

Types of pumps

Based on their design features, all pumps are classified into two main groups: dry and wet rotor. For private houses, it is best to connect the pump to a wet-type heating boiler. It is small, almost silent and easy to maintain, but it does not have very high performance: efficiency is no more than 55-57%.

Devices with a dry rotor are more powerful, unpretentious to the quality of the coolant, can operate under high pressure, and are installed vertically. But they are quite noisy and vibrate a lot. Most pumps are mounted on a foundation or a support frame on the wall.

To install “In-line”, monoblock or console devices, there must be a special room - a boiler room. They are most often installed if the hot coolant circulates more than 120 m³/h, that is, these pumps are required to service multi-story buildings.

Pump. Feed or return? Where to put it correctly. Answers on questions

Main characteristics

When choosing a pump, it is necessary to study the technical parameters, comparing them with the requirements of the heating system.

The main criteria are:

productivity - the volume of coolant or pumping over a certain period of time;
pressure that covers hydraulic losses in the pipeline;
power;
operating coolant temperature.

Structural elements are also important, for example, the diameter of the inlet and outlet pipes. For heating systems, approximate parameters will be 25−32 mm.

Devices with built-in electronics make it possible to quickly switch the system to a more convenient mode, taking into account changes in temperature or pressure in the circuit. Automatic pumps are equipped with digital screens that provide information about the operation of the device.

Installation rules

There are certain norms and rules that describe at the legislative level where and where it is correct to install the circulation pump. The main part is regulated by SNiP 2.04.05. Almost all rules are based on the operating efficiency and performance of the heating system as a whole, including the pump. For example, the shaft of wet-type equipment must be cut into the pipeline clearly horizontally so that no air pockets appear inside.

A coarse filter must be included in the heating circuit even during the installation of monolithic models. The filtered coolant will cause much less damage to all pump elements than contaminated water.

Certain rules are specified by equipment manufacturers. For example, until relatively recently, some models of the old pump group could only be installed on the return line, since these pumps could not withstand elevated temperatures. Today, pumps are universal in nature and the location of this equipment can be done at any convenient site.

The pump itself can be installed both vertically and horizontally; only when choosing a device you need to make sure that the equipment can operate in both positions. You also need to take into account one nuance: during vertical installation, the power is reduced by approximately 35%. This must be taken into account when choosing a device.

Heating diagram Connecting batteries and heating radiators Single-pipe two-pipe heating system

Fastening schemes

When choosing one of the schemes for how to properly install a pump for heating a private house, you must definitely take into account ease of maintenance, the type of boiler and the type of heating system.

The first method is the most popular: the pump is installed on the return line, through which cold coolant is supplied to the boiler. Cool liquid does not act so aggressively on all elements of the device, so the equipment can last longer.

The second method is used if, for certain reasons, it is impossible to install a pump on the return line. In this case, it is fixed at the beginning of the circuit, but not near the boiler itself, but behind the safety group.

Another option for the heating system is when an expansion tank is installed at the highest point of the circuit. If you additionally install a pump, it will be possible to operate the system in two modes - forced and natural. In this case, you can choose which method to use in each specific case.

The last scheme can only be applied to systems with a solid fuel boiler. The pump is not installed on the supply pipeline due to the possibility of explosion. It’s just that with boilers of this type it is impossible to instantly stop the fuel combustion process, as a result of which the coolant begins to boil.

Hot liquid simultaneously with steam penetrates inside the pump unit, which reduces performance. The cold coolant in the circuit does not have time to flow back into the boiler in the required volume, and the boiler begins to heat up even more. The consequence of overheating is an explosion.

If cold liquid from the circuit is supplied to a heating boiler, condensation will form. To prevent this from happening, the water is first heated in the small circuit to +50 degrees, and then the thermostatic valve smoothly transfers the liquid to the large circuit. This way, the cold coolant mixes with already heated water, and boiling does not occur.

Tying methods

Piping is equipment that is required for the proper operation of the pump unit, as well as for the smooth functioning of the entire heating system.

First you need to finally decide how many pumps will be installed. For one circuit, one device is sufficient, but for a complex circuit it is better to install two or more.

If you plan to install a heated floor or use a boiler, then it is advisable to increase the number of units to two. If there are two boilers in the house, then separate pumping equipment will also be needed for each of them.

Ball valves are required for installation in the heating system. They are installed simultaneously with the pumping unit. A check valve is also required so that the coolant moves in one direction. The valve is installed on the pipe immediately after the pump in the direction of fluid movement.

Installing a circulation pump

It is necessary to install a coarse filter to prevent sand and dirt from entering the device body. Fine filters are not installed in the heating system. If purified water is required, it is pre-cleaned before pouring into the boiler.

There is a risk of air entering the system, so it becomes necessary to install an air valve that can turn on automatically. There are also manual options.

After installation of the equipment, an electrical connection is required. Do not connect to a regular outlet without grounding. This is a gross violation of safety regulations, which during an emergency can lead to dire consequences.

There are smarter connection options:

using a boiler connected to automation;
differential circuit breaker;
uninterruptible power supply.

It is best to use a circuit breaker. To do this, you need an 8 A switch, contacts and cables. If you plan to use a UPS, you can simultaneously connect it to both the pumping equipment and the boiler.

When connecting equipment to electricity, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of condensation entering the terminal box. Heat-resistant cable is used if the thermal fluid in the heating system heats up more than 95 °C. It is prohibited for the cable to come into contact with the pump housing, electric motor, or pipe walls.

Installation instructions

Correct installation of the circulation pump in the heating system is carried out using a bypass. This is due to several reasons: this way you can quickly dismantle it or temporarily disconnect the device from the network, for example, when problems with electricity arise.

There are different models of ready-made pump units on sale - for flange mounting or welding, with areas for mounting valves or taps, with additional space intended for a pump. But if it is impossible to buy a ready-made unit or there is no place to install it, then you can make the bypass piping yourself and secure all the elements.

To work you will need:

pliers;
a set of keys;
sealant;
tow.

American nuts, as a rule, are included with pumping equipment, but drives, adapters and taps must be purchased in advance. Attention should be paid to the quality of the material and the diameter of the products.

How to install the pump?

Installation steps:

The pump unit is serviced in operating mode. It is necessary to regularly clean the filter and monitor the pressure gauge readings. If the readings do not correspond to the norm, the device must be dismantled and its position adjusted.

After installation work is completed, the heating system is filled with water. Then the air is removed using the unscrewed central screw, which is located on the housing cover. The appearance of water indicates the complete removal of air pockets from the heating system. The pump can then be turned on.

As practice shows, most home craftsmen are quite capable of installing a circulation pump with their own hands. But when difficulties arise, it is better to seek help from professionals, since only experienced specialists know how to properly tie and install pumping equipment, observing all the nuances of the heating system.

When resolving issues with organizing the heating of their own homes, the vast majority of homeowners give preference to a water heating system. Methods for obtaining heat may vary - depending on the availability of energy sources, the types of fuel prevailing in the region, and the cost-effectiveness of one or another approach. That is, in fact, the boiler can be installed depending on the circumstances, gas, electric, solid fuel - long-burning or with automatic fuel supply, diesel, etc. But the distribution of thermal energy among rooms in in most cases it is carried out through circulating through pipe circuits - water or specially selected technical fluid.

When designing a water heating system, independently or with the involvement of specialists, it is necessary to competently approach the selection of all units, components and components, from the boiler and radiators to pipes and the last valve - everything must fully comply with the planned parameters of the system being created. The merman also plays one of the key roles heating pump, since the system equipped with a forced circulation device, it always features stable operation and high efficiency. Therefore, this publication will be entirely devoted to the nuances of pump design, criteria for their selection and basic installation rules.

Is a water circulation pump really necessary for heating?

Surely, many of the thrifty owners will wonder whether it is possible not to “bother” with the pump at all. Indeed, in a small house with slightly branched contours, it can be organized according to a natural circulation scheme.

Yes, of course, there is such a possibility. To do this, it is necessary to correctly position the expansion tank, select pipes of the appropriate diameter and mount them with a certain slope, and optimally position the heating radiators. In a word, when they talk about the simplicity of a system with natural circulation, this statement is very doubtful.

The main advantage of natural circulation - not attachment it to the electrical supply (if, of course, the boiler itself is non-volatile). In all other respects, it is significantly inferior to forced circulation.

Thermal calculations show that even with the most optimal conditions - high boiler efficiency, rational placement of all components, clean pipes not overgrown with sediment and a minimum of shut-off or other fittings, the natural increase in pressure due to the temperature difference and the creation of a slope will be within 0.6 atmospheres. This is clearly not enough to overcome strong hydraulic resistance in an extensive network or even in the event of force majeure circumstances - what happened with a narrowing of the internal clearance or even a short-term stop of the gas boiler can lead to imbalance heating system, and it will take a long time to “bring it back to life.”

So, let’s summarize the advantages and disadvantages of natural and forced circulation:

1. The advantages of natural circulation, as already mentioned, include complete energy independence and the relative simplicity of piping the boiler itself. But there is a whole list of shortcomings:

— The need to use pipes of different, including fairly large diameters, which leads to increased costs of the project and difficulties in installation. The system requires very careful thermal calculations, with precise observance of slopes, with mandatory consideration of the excess of the location of some elements over others and with other nuances.

— Transfer of thermal energy over significant distances (heights) is simply impossible. Both the height and length of the created outline are limited.

— The low speed of natural movement of the coolant leads to completely unnecessary energy losses, uneven heat distribution throughout the rooms, and therefore to a decrease in the overall efficiency of the system and its efficiency.

— A system with natural circulation is very difficult to make any precise adjustments, optimization of heat flow distributionby areas of the house.

2. And now - about forced circulation in heating circuits.

Its disadvantages include dependence on availability - if there is a power failure, the heating system stops.

- Well, firstly, nothing prevents you from organizing the entire system in such a way that it can operate in both modes - it is enough to install the pump unit on the “return” in front of the entrance to the boiler. For example, the figure reproduces the same diagram, but indicating the insertion location of the circulation pump. The strapping procedure will be described below.

“Secondly, let’s agree that now is not the “dawn of the country’s electrification.” And, hand on heart, let’s give ourselves an honest answer to the question - how often, how regularly and for what duration is electricity cut off in a particular area (city, village). If these are just annoying episodes associated with some emergency situations, then everything can be solved by installing an uninterruptible power supply system. The power consumption of circulation pumps is usually very small, and even a small UPS will easily keep the entire heating system in working order.

If, of course, there are still places where power outages are systematic and long-lasting, then in these populated areas it is certainly better to organize heating according to a natural circulation scheme.

The main problem of heating systems in private homes has always been the difficulty of uniform heat distribution. Therefore, installing a circulation pump in heating systems has become more of a necessity dictated by common sense.

Let's look at installing main and additional pumps in an autonomous heating system.

1 How to install a circulation pump in a heating system?

Installing a pump in the heating system of a private house creates the necessary conditions for forced uniform circulation of coolant in the heating system, and ensures uniform heating of the radiators, regardless of the degree of distance from the boiler.

1.1 Installation options

The heating pump is installed according to two different schemes:

for one pipe;
for two pipes.

The single-pipe method provides a constant flow of coolant with small temperature changes. Installing a pump for heating using the second method will produce a variable flow of thermal agent and a high temperature difference.

Regardless of which method you choose, the equipment that will provide normal heating is almost the same and consists of:

boiler;
automatic air vent;
thermostatic valve;
radiator;
balancing valve;
expansion tank;
valve;
filter;
circulation pump;
pressure gauge;
safety valve.

An installed circulation pump in the heating system not only removes the inertia of long-term heating of the entire system and reduces the time for supplying hot water to radiators far from the boiler, but also:

almost instantly (thanks to forced pumping) it equalizes temperature conditions in all radiators in the house;
due to the sharp drop in intra-pipe pressure, it eliminates the appearance of air pockets that interfere with the normal circulation of coolants;
increases the efficiency of the entire heating circuit, regardless of the location of the radiators and their distance from the heating boiler.

1.2 Which heating pump is suitable for private home systems?

To choose the right device, it is worth considering two important details, namely: the pressure force with which the heating thermal agent circulates in the pipeline and the mechanical resistance of the hydraulics at the moment the pressure is created. Therefore, you need to take the device based on indicators that will be underestimated by 10% compared to the original indicators of the calculated value of pressure and resistance.

Otherwise, the installation of powerful heat pumps for heating leads to noise in the pipes, and the electric pump consumes significantly more energy than stated in the passport. In addition, the equipment will wear out much faster.

If you install a pump with a design power significantly less than the pressure and resistance indicators, then water heating will not be carried out normally. The required pumping volume cannot be met.

Since maximum efficiency can be obtained only at the maximum permissible speed of the electric motor, it is worth purchasing devices with the ability to electronically or manually regulate shaft rotation speeds. But, it is worth remembering that if there is a thermal valve in the heating circuit, and extraneous noise begins to appear at high engine speeds, then the pressure equipment must be switched to lower speeds.

Rule: pump control should be possible not only in the forced circulation mode, but also in the natural circulation mode of coolants inside the pipelines. Because if the equipment is connected only to the mains, without using an uninterruptible power supply, then a long power outage can lead to the coolant in the boiler overheating, destroying the heating circuit.

We also do not forget about the differences between pressure equipment with different rotors (wet and dry type). In devices with a wet rotor, all parts of the pump are lubricated by the coolant itself, which significantly extends its service life and reduces the noise level significantly.

You need to worry about noise insulation and maintenance of pressure equipment with dry-type rotors yourself. Additional information about the differences, advantages and disadvantages of different types of rotors can be found in other articles on our website.

2 Where and how to connect the pump?

Proper installation of the heating circuit occurs according to the following algorithm. The circulation pump must be connected to the pipes only with the shaft horizontal. You can connect pressure equipment to an underwater or return pipe, but the return pipe has its advantages, which we will discuss a little below.

A filter must be installed in front of the device to clean the coolant from dirt impurities. The suspension collector should be placed in a downward direction. The direction of the filter must strictly correspond to the direction of the arrows printed on the body of the device, which indicate the direction of water flow.

The lifespan of a circulation pump depends on the water temperature and on how much and how to install the pump correctly. The higher the temperature, the shorter the service life of the bearings. Therefore, the device should be connected to the boiler directly in front of it, on the return pipe and after the expansion tank.

2.1 How to install the pump so that it works when the power is turned off?

Install the device strictly parallel to the main circuit, without opening the circuit itself. In order for gravity inside the pipeline to work normally for the natural circulation of the coolant, install a circuit that is no less in diameter than Du-32.

To shut off the main boiler circuit to avoid running water in a circle between taps, install valves before and after the pressure device. Remember that if there is a long absence of electricity, you will have to switch to bypass from the pressure device manually. In this case, the bypass is disconnected from the main pipeline using two ball shut-off valves or taps.

A valve is required at the top of the bypass to pump out air. Install the terminals and control unit of the pressure device only in the “up” position. Connections that are made on threads must be treated with sealant.

But to ensure that the pump turns itself off during long power outages when no one is home, install a ball check valve. Its advantages over a conventional valve are that there is no loss in water pressure, which has to overcome the resistance of the spring mechanisms of a conventional check valve. The valve with ball should only be installed horizontally.

2.2 How to properly install a pump in a heating system? (video)

2.3 Additional pressure device

As a rule, additional pressure devices are installed in houses where old boilers are installed, or where the area of the house has increased due to the addition of new premises that were not previously included in the previous heating scheme. Additional installations are also effective for heating floors using a separate circuit to avoid air entering the heating circuit.

Don't forget about the little things that are required if you plan to install an additional pump. First drain the coolant and thoroughly rinse the pipes to remove any debris that has accumulated over the years of operation.