A circulation pump is a device used to generate liquid circulation in central heating installations, as well as other heating and air conditioning systems. This ensures the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire system. Many newer boiler models is designed to work with circulation pumps, and more and more often there are those that are factory-equipped with them.
In this article we will describe the most important functions performed by circulation pumps and we will advise you on what parameters you should pay attention to when selecting them.
What is the circulation pump responsible for?
The operation of pumps is based on the basic principle of changing mechanical energy into kinetic energy or potential energy of fluids in circulation. The pump, or rather the pump impeller, transfers its energy to the liquid, thereby setting it in motion. In this way, the water in the heating system can reach the furthest radiator.
Circulation pumps are most often installed where gravity heating cannot be used, which involves using the phenomenon of changing the density of water caused by its temperature. Such heating systems have many limitations, and they also cause the radiators to heat up slowly and may consume a lot of energy. Circulation pumps are a much more efficient alternative.
Choosing a circulation pump: what parameters should you take into account?
In the case of circulation pumps, the basic parameters are: flow rate (i.e. efficiency) and lifting height. The lifting head is the pressure that the pump must impart to the pumped liquid in the circuit. This value is given in meters of water column, and recommendations regarding this parameter may vary depending on the specificity of the installation or pipe diameter.
Sometimes it is difficult to clearly match a pump with appropriate parameters, especially in small central heating installations. However, in the case of installations for single-family houses, the parameters of the circulation pump are often provided for in the sanitary industry design. In addition, on manufacturers' websites we can often find tools prepared for customers to calculate the necessary flow rate and pump lifting height.
