Grundfos heating pumps - reliability and efficiency in one

Pumps for heating (they are also circulation pumps) are necessary in order to ensure the normal circulation of coolant in the heating system. Manufacturers often complement their functionality with a number of useful functions, for example, the ability to adjust the rotor speed depending on the selected mode of operation. Given the number of manufacturers of such equipment, it is useful to become familiar with the leaders in this market segment.

The role of the pump in the heating system

If a heating circuit with natural circulation is used, then the pump can be completely forgotten - the flow of coolant through the pipes occurs due to the expansion of water during heating.

The scheme of the heating operation looks like this:

• the heat carrier in the boiler heats up and expands, due to this, part of it moves to the highest point of the heating system;
• after that, the heated water passes through the heating radiators, dropping lower and lower to the level of the boiler;
• Already cooled water flows back into the boiler and the process repeats.

The price of the heating system in this case is minimal, because there are no significant expenses (except for the boiler). But a significant drawback of this scheme is a weak natural pressure, so that the rate of movement of the coolant is small.

Note! Heating with natural circulation in the system is completely independent of electricity. That is why such heating schemes are often found in country houses, even with power outages, this will not affect heating.

The installation of a circulation pump will create in the heating system (the desired pressure), and modern models are able to change this value in a large range. It is also important that all installation work can be done by hand without the help of specialists.

Pump classification

These devices can be grouped by several parameters, for example, by cost, energy efficiency, the number of operating modes, etc.

But the main main classification is based on the design features of the device, emit:

• with a wet rotor - that is, the rotor is directly in the liquid, which is pumped. Very low noise units, and there are no problems with durability, because the liquid plays the role of lubrication. The main drawback can be considered a small efficiency - about 50-60%;

• Wilo and Grundfos heating pumps can also be produced with a dry rotor. In this case, there is no direct contact with the coolant. Complete isolation from the pumped liquid is achieved through the use of sealing rings, the microscopic gaps between which finally seals the liquid film itself.

Note! Models with a dry rotor are notable for higher efficiency, but noise is also much higher compared to “wet” counterparts. Such models can be considered optimal in cases where the boiler is installed in a separate room and the noise will not be heard in residential premises.

Survey of popular manufacturers

There are many manufacturers on the market, and the products of most of them are of rather high quality. But there are also companies that in this area, what is called “dog eaten” and their products, if not perfect, are close to that. It's about the companies Grundfos and Wilo.

Grundfos circulation pumps

Grundfos is a Danish manufacturer, and the first pump for heating Grundfos was released back in 1959 and since then the company has been improving the design of the device every year. It is worth noting that it was this manufacturer who first proposed the modern classification of such devices for energy efficiency. Before that, no one just thought of applying this criterion to conventional heating circulating pumps.

As for products, the entire model range can be commended for the ability to adjust within fairly wide limits and excellent energy efficiency. Energy consumption is several dozen times less than that of unregulated outdated pumps.

Separately, you need to note the proprietary technology Autoadapt, which is equipped with models of the upper price category. When activating this mode, the pump itself will find the optimal ratio between the temperature in the room and the coolant current.

In order not to list all the models of devices from this manufacturer, let us focus on several popular series:

• Pumps for heating Grundfos of the 100th series - due to their noiselessness they are often used in independent heating of private houses and apartments. The rotation frequency is set manually using the controller (only 3 working speeds of rotation of the rotor);

• The 200th series can be considered universal, such devices can be used not only in heating, but also in air conditioning systems of buildings. In the case of their use in hot water systems, it is necessary to purchase thermal switches, which will provide protection against overheating;

• pumps for hot water supply - note the model UP (1 working speed) and UPS (3 modes of operation). Considering the working conditions, the case of such devices is made of steel or bronze.

In general, all models of this manufacturer are created in order to facilitate the installation and operation of the device to a person as much as possible. The installation manual is simply to connect the pump with threaded connections in the pipe section that supplies the cooled coolant back to the boiler.

Pumps from Wilo

If we compare Wilo pumps for heating with the same Grundfos, the differences will not be so much. The German manufacturer has perhaps a much more impressive history of development - the company was founded in 1872, but the quality of products is comparable.

The products of the German manufacturer are also distinguished by durability, efficiency, high efficiency, flexible adjustment and a multi-stage protection system.

Such popular series are quite popular:

• Star-RS - most often used in private construction, such a device is used when the area of ​​the house is within 200-750m2. Since pumps of this series can be used in air conditioning, the operating temperature range is in the range of -10? C - +110? C;

• Wilo pump for heating the Top-S series is used in heating systems for heating large areas, of the order of 1000 - 1400 m2. The operating temperature range is within -20? С - +130? С, it can work in 3 modes.

• Stratos and Yonos use electronically commutated electric motors, so that the operating mode changes automatically. They can be used in heating systems of both private houses and industrial workshops.

Summarizing

The circulation pump is an important element of the heating system with forced circulation. The operating mode of the heating system and the speed of movement of the coolant through the pipes depend on this small device. In addition to general information about the device of the pumps, the article provides a brief description of popular manufacturers.

The video shows the model of the pump Grundfos Alpha.