Pump Selection Guide — How to Choose the Perfect Circulation Pump for Your Home

A circulation pump is a vital component of your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, as well as your domestic hot water supply. It ensures consistent temperatures in every room by moving hot or cold water throughout your home, and make you have instant hot water in winter.

With numerous options available, selecting the right circulation pump can be daunting. This guide outlines the types of circulation pumps and key factors to consider for an informed decision. 

Pump Types

1.Traditional Circulation Pump 

Basic models with fixed or manual speed control, suitable for straightforward heating systems.

2.Flanged Circulation Pump 

Designed for larger commercial systems, featuring flange connections for robust and scalable applications.

3.Intelligent Circulation Pump 

Smart pumps that adapt to system demand, offering various control modes and protection methods for energy savings and safety.

Choosing a circulation pump

When selecting a circulation pump, there are several factors to consider.

1.The power size

In general, a home with four or more bedrooms and a villa requires a larger circulation pump with a power size of around 260W. High-rise residents can choose a circulation pump of around 130W, while flat residents can choose a circulation pump of around 100W.

2.Flow Rate

The flow rate is directly related to the heating area and system type.

Heating Area: Larger areas require higher flow rates to distribute heat evenly. For example, a 150 sqm floor heating system might need a flow rate of around 7.5 L/min.

System Type: Different systems (e.g., underfloor heating vs. radiator systems) have varying flow requirements. Underfloor heating typically needs lower flow rates compared to radiator systems.

3.Delivery Head 

When selecting a circulation pump, it is also important to pay attention to its head value, which is closely related to the system height and pipe length.

System Height: The vertical height of your system impacts the required head. A two-story building might need a pump with a head of around 6-8 meters to ensure water reaches the highest point.

Pipe Length and Diameter: Longer pipes and smaller diameters increase resistance, requiring higher head to maintain flow. For instance, a system with 40 meters of piping may need an additional 1.5-2 meters of head to compensate for losses.

4.The properties of the liquid

Liquid properties can be divided into physical properties and chemical properties, among others. Different liquid properties also have a significant impact on the selection of circulation pumps. Physical properties include gas content, temperature, and more, while chemical properties refer to the liquid's corrosiveness and toxicity, among other factors. 

The liquid properties will affect the construction materials of choosing the circulation pump.

5.The Control Mode

There are different control mode under different applications. Choosing the right one would be effectively affect your system efficiency and energy saving.

• Fixed Speed:

Suitable for applications where a constant flow rate is required. This is the most common control mode for many existing heating systems.  

Variable Speed:

• Provides flexibility to adjust the flow rate according to demand, which can lead to energy savings. This is often used for in applications where self-regulation of flow is required during boosting or re-circulation processes:

-Floor Heating Systems

-Wall-Hung Boiler Heating Systems

-Domestic Hot Water Re-circulation Systems

• Automatic with Flow Switch:

Automatically starts and stops the circulation pump based on water flow detection. This is often used in household water pressure boosting system. It is water supply on demand.  

Conclusion:

Choosing the right circulation pump for your needs is crucial for ensuring a comfort heating system and cost efficiency. By taking into account the factors mentioned above, you can find the perfect pump for your home or building.

For more detailed information and specific pump solutions, visit us at www.streampumps.com/pump-solutions/