For many homeowners, creating an autonomous heating circuit is the only way to heat their home if it is impossible to connect the building to a centralized heating main. To ensure efficient heating using the created network, a pump is installed in the heating system of a private house. Tell us about the advantages of having such a device in the thermal circuit of a building. Let's also consider the types of pumps, important parameters for selecting an electrical appliance, and the features of its installation.
Installed pump in a private residential building Source 1-teplodom.ru
General information
Previously, all houses installed a system through which the working environment moved naturally. The movement of water was ensured by heating it in a boiler or even an ordinary furnace. It cooled in the radiators and other elements of the building’s thermal circuit, after which it was returned to the heating equipment. It was according to this simple scheme that it circulated through the pipes.
Nowadays additional equipment is used everywhere. Before installing a pump in a heating system in a private home, specialists perform calculations and select a device, taking into account the characteristics of the building’s thermal circuit. Professionals also take other nuances into account.
On a note! A thermal circuit with natural circulation is just a relatively simple heating circuit. After all, when installing it, pipes must be laid with a slope, batteries are mounted in strictly specified places, and pipelines of exceptionally large diameter are used. In some buildings, all the rules are difficult or impossible to comply with. Therefore, it is not possible to ensure the required coolant circulation through the system.
Conventional diagram of the thermal circuit of a building with natural movement of coolant Source rtkpipe.ru
Professional installation of additional equipment allows you to solve these problems. Most homeowners turn to specialists for help. After all, they know very well how to properly install a circulation pump in a heating system.
What indicators need to be taken into account when choosing
We begin the selection of a circulation pump for hot water supply with indicators of its performance and pressure.
- Productivity is the volume of water (or other liquid) that the pump pumps in a certain unit of time (cubic meters per hour or liters per minute);
- Pressure is the pressure created by the pump (measured in Bars, Pascals or lift height in meters).
In addition, we also take into account the technical characteristics:
- Power of the installed electric motor in W;
- Type of control (temperature sensor or timer).
Capacity depends on the length of the pipe system. If the total length of the pipeline is 40-50 meters (an average house), then a pump with a capacity of 0.2 to 0.6 cubic meters per hour will be sufficient.
The motor power should also be low so as not to waste electricity. On average, the figure for a small private house, cottage, cottage is from 5 to 10 W. For large houses with several floors, 20 W of power is sufficient.
The choice of a circulation pump for hot water supply according to the characteristics of its pressure (lift height) will be correct if one is guided by the following rules:
- For a one-story house, where the pipeline is single-level, we take a pressure with a height of water rising from half a meter to 0.8 meters;
- For a building with several floors, add the height of the water supply pipes;
- Plus - we create a certain pressure reserve, 10-20 percent.
The advantage of a system with a pump
Opponents of heating, characterized by forced movement of the medium, note the following disadvantages:
- installing a circulation pump forces you to increase the cost of installing a heating circuit;
- equipment requires an electrical connection, which causes additional costs for electricity;
- the efficient operation of the pumping unit depends on the stability of the power supply, which does not exclude the occurrence of emergency situations if the power supply is interrupted;
- installing an electric pump forces the installation of the entire unit and its regular maintenance, but even in this case it is not protected from breakdowns.
Pumping unit in the heating network of a house Source sovet-ingenera.com
Upon closer examination of each non-delivery, the disadvantages turn out to be not as significant as they seem at first. Moreover, to organize the effective operation of a thermal circuit with gravitational movement of the coolant, one cannot do without certain knowledge, experience, and the implementation of specific rules. Therefore, for its proper installation, you will need the help of specialists who also know perfectly well how to properly install a heating pump in a private home.
To finally find out all the advantages of having a circulation pump unit in the thermal circuit of a building, you need to become more familiar with the system where the coolant moves by gravity.
Schematic diagram of a gravity heating circuit Source oboiman.ru
After determining the installation location of the boiler, be sure to lay a vertical pipeline. It is the accelerating section of the system. For its arrangement, pipes with a large diameter are used. It is recommended to install pipes with a cross-section of at least 1.5 inches.
The acceleration pipeline is laid to the maximum possible height. It should be mounted to a point that is higher than all the radiators in the house. After this, the expansion tank is secured and connected. This device usually has an open design.
The coolant supply pipeline from the expansion tank is laid with a slope of at least 5%. In other words, the slope of the pipe must be at least 50 mm per 1 m. In this case, its cross-sectional size must be at least 1.25 inches.
Descents to radiators are made of pipes with a minimum diameter of 3/4 inch. The return manifold, which is also placed on a slope, is made of rolled pipe with the same cross-section as that of the upper supply pipeline.
Gravity-flow system with an open tank for expansion of the working medium and an accelerating pipe Source tvoya-stroika.ru
Such a heating device with gravity flow forces the boiler to be installed below the radiators. This is not always convenient or possible. In addition, the length of pipelines is increasing. To avoid all the inconveniences, turn to specialists who know very well how to install a circulation pump in the heating system of a private home. After all, it is this that will allow the supply of heated water to the battery at any point in the building.
It is still possible to implement a gravity circuit in small houses where all heated rooms are nearby. However, even with this arrangement of rooms, it is not always possible to install a system with gravitational circulation.
The need to use pipes with a large cross-section makes it necessary to spend more money on organizing heating. Such pipelines are more difficult to install and very difficult to hide in building structures, and sometimes this cannot be done at all. At the same time, professional installation of a pump in a heating system will cost less than the cost of installing a gravity circuit with large pipes and many associated costs.
Pump in the heating circuit of a house Source onlinetrade.ru
Another disadvantage of the gravity system is the inability to conceal the bottom connection of the batteries. This cannot be done even if the project is developed by experienced designers. In a circuit with coolant gravity flow, it will not be possible to create a pressure greater than 0.6 atm. After all, it is formed in the system due to temperature changes and due to different densities of the liquid.
Important! Pressure 0.6 atm. not enough for modern radiators. In addition, you can forever forget about water-heated floors, which are always installed correctly by specialists. However, for them to work effectively, you will need to install a heating pump. If the device is professionally selected, it will always create the required pressure.
An electric pump to create and maintain the required pressure Source leroymerlin.ru
In order for the gravitational circuit to operate at its designed power, it needs a starting impulse. It can only be obtained by increasing energy resources. If even a short shutdown of the boiler unit occurs, then it will take a long time to bring the heating circuit back to normal operation.
In addition, in a gravity circulation system, fluid moves slowly. Its movement is carried out due to the energy of the boiler, and this reduces the efficiency of the unit and the entire intra-house heating circuit. All these problems can be solved by installing a circulation pump for heating - professionals will help you how to install the unit correctly.
Important! Even inexpensive circulation equipment consumes a maximum of 90 W per hour. More expensive models have lower characteristics. It is significantly less than the total energy consumption that will occur when operating heating with gravitational movement of the coolant.
Characteristics, including power, of common circulation units Source 1-teplodom.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in engineering systems (heating, water supply, sewerage and others) and related work
The low speed of the working medium in the gravitational system is one of the reasons for uneven heating of radiators. In this situation, the heat transfer of the batteries can only be regulated by changing the amount of coolant that passes through them. However, this method will not allow for precise adjustment.
If we take into account that the pressure in the circuit is still low, then there is a high probability of blockage of one of the batteries in the house or even an entire section of the system. In this case, you should completely forget about the possibility of mixing coolant from the return pipeline. Therefore, you shouldn’t even think about high-quality regulation of heat transfer from heating devices.
The conclusion is that the gravitational circuit is not an effective system. Its arrangement leads to irrational consumption of energy resources. Therefore, it is better to spend money once on installing additional equipment than to pay large sums annually for the operation of an inefficient heating circuit. All owners of private residential buildings are recommended to contact professionals who know perfectly well how to install a heating pump in a private house.
Installing a pump in a heating system Source stroikairemont.com
The operation of the circulation pump completely depends on a stable supply of electrical energy. This problem is solved by installing an uninterruptible power supply. It can also simultaneously ensure the operation of the boiler unit. It all depends on its characteristics. Experts will also always help you in choosing a device.
On a note! Even an inexpensive UPS will allow boiler equipment to continue operating when problems arise with the central power supply.
If it is decided to connect a circulation pump, then the homeowner can consider switching the operation of the heating circuit to gravity circulation of the coolant. In most cases, experts offer just such a scheme to owners of modern houses. It involves installing a bypass. A pump and two valves are installed on it. The third shut-off valve is installed in the area that bypasses the bypass.
The advantages of the pump also include its durability if it is manufactured by a reputable company. Homeowners do not have to worry about the vulnerability of such equipment. Typically its service life is tens of years.
Most modern circulation pumps are durable equipment Source elektro56.ru
All pumping units must be serviced regularly to ensure they operate properly for many years. However, the benefits of such a device are undeniable. Therefore, even the purchase of an expensive pump is justified.
Control method
Maintaining the circulation of hot liquid at all times is acceptable, although this is not always economically justified. Many will agree that there is not always a need for such water, so there is no need for the pump to work non-stop. If the pipes are routed correctly and thermal insulation is installed, the liquid will not immediately cool down. As far as monetary costs are concerned, this will not affect them since recirculation pumps are inexpensive to maintain.
The control method can be by timer, that is, schedule, and by temperature sensors.
Main types of pumps for the heating circuit of a private house
Many well-known companies are engaged in the production of circulation pumps. For example, these are Wilo and Grundfos. Regardless of the brand, devices require electricity to operate. In the devices, the hydraulic and electrical parts are isolated from each other. This division is performed in two ways. The design of the pump depends on the specific option.
Dry type pumps
This type of pumping equipment is distinguished by the presence of a so-called dry rotor in its design. In such a device, the hydraulic part is completely separated from the electric drive. In this case, the impeller rotates due to the movement of the shaft around its axis.
Dry-type circulation pumping equipment Source simpalsmedia.com
Pumping equipment with a dry rotor has an elongated housing, since the electric motor is located on the side of the hydraulic unit. Due to this massive shape, a cantilever installation of the circulation pump in the heating system is performed. The installation process is simplified due to the presence of special brackets on the body. The equipment may also have an installation platform.
Pumping electrical appliances with a dry rotor are powerful devices with high performance. They are installed when it is necessary to supply a large amount of coolant. In addition, such pumping devices are capable of creating the necessary pressure to move liquid through extended systems. Therefore, their installation is carried out in large mansions with several floors.
Dry-type pumps have a number of disadvantages:
- Labor-intensive installation due to large dimensions.
- A complex sealing system on a rotating shaft that wears out during operation. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly carry out maintenance, and sometimes even change the sealing elements.
Dry-type pumping equipment with a complex sealing system Source yut-market.ru
- High noise level during operation, as the electric drive is cooled by air. Because of this feature, the installation of a circulation pump in a heating system in a private house is usually carried out in a boiler room, isolated from other rooms of the building.
Wet pumps
Pump circulation devices with a so-called wet rotor differ in design from electrical appliances of the “dry” type. First of all, their pump operating unit is connected to the power element hermetically due to the presence of ring gaskets between them. The two parts are screwed together.
The working unit has the shape of a snail. On both sides there are fastenings that allow connection to heating pipelines. Typically, manufacturers equip equipment with threaded pipes or flanges. The first elements allow coupling connections to be made.
Design of a household circulation pump Source superpumps.ru
The power section contains the stator winding. The pumped liquid never gets into it. To seal this part, the design contains a stainless steel glass. Therefore, the sealing elements are placed on fixed parts. Because of this, they do not wear out when the circulation pump for heating is running - specialists always know how to install it correctly.
An impeller is attached to its rotor shaft. These two parts are rigidly connected to each other. The bearings on which the rotor rests are lubricated with coolant. At the same time, it fills almost the entire space of the device. This allows heat to be effectively removed from the heating parts of the pump. Therefore, it does not overheat and does not need an additional cooling system.
Important! The “wet” type pumping device has an end plug that is used to remove air from the housing. This ensures that the entire device is completely filled with liquid.
At the end of the electric pump there is a plug for bleeding air. Source saucyintruder.org
When the rotor rotates in the working environment, energy losses occur. This reduces the efficiency of pumping equipment. However, this is a minor drawback, since the device consumes a minimal amount of electrical energy.
When operating a “wet” type electric pump, there is practically no noise. The device is easy to install and compact in size. However, you still need to know how to properly install the heating pump. After all, there is one important rule - the rotor axis must always be horizontal. In this case, the device body itself can occupy any position depending on its shape. If the rotor is positioned horizontally, then its bearings will always be wet, which prevents them from breaking due to excess heat.
Important! A filter is installed in front of the pump, which prevents solid particles from entering the bearings of the device.
Pumps of the NF, NFuV and FV brands. Open and diagonal devices
The following standard sizes of installations are provided: 2NF, 4NF, 6NF, 8NF. Their productivity ranges from 36 to 864 cubic liters per hour with a pressure of 6.5 to 50 meters. Similarly to such installations, sewage pumps with an open impeller with two thick blades can be used. In such devices, all fibers are cut by the sharp edge of the blade.
To work with wastewater, a single-stage diagonal-type centrifugal pump is often used. The impeller in these units, as well as in models of the FV and NFuV brands, is equipped with two blades. Their productivity varies from 43 to 150 cubic meters per hour, and the pressure reaches 63 m.
Basic selection parameters
Before connecting a circulation pump to the heating system, professionals select a device taking into account the features of the existing heating circuit of the house. During this process, they must pay attention to the following parameters of the device:
- The operating voltage should be 220 V. This characteristic allows you to connect the electric pump to a household power line. Therefore, there is no need to install separate wiring.
- Power – the optimal value is the minimum value. It is recommended to choose a device with power consumption class A. This device is the most economical. As the class decreases, power consumption increases.
Manufacturers produce modern pumping units with two or even three operating modes. They allow you to change the pressure of the pumped liquid. At the same time, the power of the device will change. These parameters are usually marked on the body of the electric pump.
Power connection
The circulation pumps operate from a 220 V network. The connection is standard; a separate power supply line with a circuit breaker is desirable. The connection requires three wires - phase, neutral and ground.
Circulation pump electrical connection diagram
The connection to the network itself can be organized using a three-pin socket and plug. This connection method is used if the pump comes with a connected power wire. It can also be connected via a terminal block or directly with a cable to the terminals.
The terminals are located under a plastic cover. We remove it by unscrewing several bolts and find three connectors. They are usually labeled (the pictograms are N - neutral wire, L - phase, and “ground” has an international designation), so it’s hard to make a mistake.
Where to connect the power cable
Since the entire system depends on the performance of the circulation pump, it makes sense to make a backup power supply - install a stabilizer with connected batteries. With such a power supply system, everything will work for several days, since the pump itself and the boiler automation “pulls” electricity to a maximum of 250-300 W. But when organizing, you need to calculate everything and select the battery capacity. The disadvantage of such a system is the need to ensure that the batteries do not discharge.
How to connect a circulator to electricity through a stabilizer
Installation of an electric circulation pump
Before starting installation work, each specialist already knows where to install the pump in the heating system - on the supply or return. Typically the installation is carried out on the return pipe. Installation is carried out directly in front of the boiler. In this case, it is better to choose a place after the tank in which the coolant expands.
On a note! It is recommended to install expansion tanks with a membrane in heating systems with quiet movement of the working medium. It is for this reason that the installation of electric pumps is carried out after them. After all, a device for circulating coolant contributes to the creation of flow turbulence.
If an open tank is installed, then the electric pump can be installed anywhere in the common return pipeline, but only after the last connection into it. The same recommendation applies to the membrane expansion tank. The location of the electric pump on the return line after the expansion tank extends the service life of the circulation device. Indeed, in this case it will pump a cooler coolant than when installed on the supply side.
Layout of the pump on the return after the expansion tank Source 1-teplodom.ru
Important! Modern pump models are designed to operate at a maximum temperature of 110°. This allows them to be installed on the supply pipeline. However, when choosing this option, you need to carefully balance all the parameters of the thermal circuit. After all, after the pumping unit, the working environment receives a vacuum. Taking this point into account, circulation devices should not be installed immediately behind the boiler, since when the heating circuit operates at maximum, boiling of the liquid in the batteries may occur. This situation poses a great danger.
Advice! If the pump is installed on a supply pipeline, then it must be installed at the greatest possible distance from the boiler unit.
Before connecting a circulation pump, professionals always first study the existing system. If branches extend from the central supply pipeline in different directions, pumping devices are installed on each of them. Such heating circuits are often found in buildings with extensions or in large houses that have two wings.
One of the options for a branched heating circuit with two circulation pumps for radiators and heated floors Source akak7.ru
In buildings with a branched thermal circuit, the optimal place to install the electric pump is the supply pipeline, but only after it has branched. In this case, the circulation device must be installed before the battery or the first riser.
When choosing a location for a circulation device, they are guided by the heating scheme in a particular house. There is no general rule for the placement of a device that pumps coolant. Specialists take into account the characteristics of a particular heating network and the availability of free space on its pipelines.
In addition, professionals control the location of the device’s rotor axis relative to the ground. It must always be parallel to the horizon. In addition, access to the electrical pump installation box is provided. After all, it is designed for connecting wires and there is a mode switch in it. Therefore, the installation box should not be located at the bottom of the device.
Operating principle
Circulation pumps are used to constantly move liquid in a hot water system. To connect them, it is necessary to install a storage tank. Liquid is drawn through the inlet pipe of the pump, which creates a vacuum and water from the storage tank enters the circuit.
The pump impeller pumps the liquid, building up pressure in the outlet pipe, while at the same time the cooled water flows back into the container. Thus, with constant operation of the pump, there is a continuous circulation of coolant in the system.
The principle of operation of the pump in the diagram
The hot water supply circuit does not end at the extreme point of water intake, but is connected to a storage tank. Thus, the liquid constantly circulates in the system, regardless of whether the water intake points are open or closed. For ease of use, a shut-off device can be installed on the return flow pipeline. This will shut off the circuit and stop recirculating the hot water supply if necessary.
Features and installation procedure of the electric pump
To find out how to properly install a circulation pump, it is recommended to use the heating project. It is usually developed during the design stage of the house. If the heating circuit of a building is being modernized, then in this situation the best place to install the device is the bypass.
The presence of a jumper with an electric pump, filter and shut-off valves allows the heating network to function if the building loses power or an electrical appliance breaks down. Thanks to the bypass, it will be possible to switch the system to circulate the medium naturally. This will prevent you from being left completely without heat in the event of an emergency.
The bypass jumper can have almost any configuration. Often there is not enough space for installation. Therefore, non-standard solutions are being implemented. However, more often the installation is still carried out according to standard schemes.
One of the options for a bypass jumper for an electric heating pump Source e.allegroimg.com
If there is free space, a ready-made bypass assembly is usually installed. This design is manufactured in production shops. It is equipped with taps or valves are built into it. The finished bypass unit can be mounted by welding or connected via thread. Any such structure has a free area intended for installing an electric pump using flanges or couplings.
Thermal circuits in houses are often created from polypropylene pipes. This option simplifies the process of installing a circulation device for pumping coolant. The master usually spends about 1 hour on the work. More time is required if installation is carried out on metal pipes. It is necessary to use not only welding, but also packing of threaded connections.
During installation of the circulation pump, the technician carries out the following actions:
- prepares components - filter, shut-off valves, threaded pipes, drains;
- connects all threaded elements of the assembly using a special sealing tow and paste;
- assembles the loop together with the pump without carefully tightening the union nuts;
An assembled loop with a pump and a unit that is mounted underneath it Source 1-teplodom.ru
- outlines and cuts out an area on the return line for installing the tap;
- carries out welding work - first tacks the metal elements of the assembly, then removes the pump to prevent it from being damaged by welding splashes and completes the operations started;
- assembles the unit under the pump and carries out its installation;
- the circulation device is installed in place;
- carries out the final tightening of the American electrical appliance.
Important! On the electric pump, the direction of the arrow must coincide with the actual movement of the working medium in the heating pipeline.
At the end of the work, the master connects the wires. They are connected to the terminals located in the mounting box of the circulation device.
Bottom line
As you can see, the main difficulty of installation for a circulation pump is the need for welding, cutting pipes, and threading. The assembly itself is elementary: you need to carefully measure all the distances and screw in the elements. The connections are sealed with tow and sealant.
What to pay attention to during operation:
- it is necessary to periodically clean the filter and check the pressure gauge readings;
- The noise emitted by the device does not always indicate a breakdown; often the cause is air accumulating in the circuit. The problem can be solved simply - by bleeding with special valves;
- Dry pumps may require periodic lubrication.
Briefly about the main thing
Installing an electric pump in the heating circuit of the house allows you to provide the necessary pressure in it. This will allow the premises to be heated as efficiently as possible. Electric pumps are installed in homes in “dry” and “wet” versions. The second type of device is more common.
They usually try to install the electric pump on the return line after all radiators, tie-ins and a reservoir for expansion of the coolant. If necessary, it can be mounted on the supply, but at the maximum distance from the boiler.
The pump is installed on a bypass. This is a loop with a filter and shut-off valves. First, all its elements are assembled into a single structure, and then it crashes into the main pipeline with a separate tap to shut it off.
Balancing according to design calculations
The easiest way is to balance the system using the data specified in the heating project. The essence of balancing, regardless of the chosen method, comes down to setting the required coolant flow in various parts of the system. The flow is regulated using balancing valves or thermostatic valves with presetting.
The balancing valve has its own gradation. In this case, the different positions of the control valve correspond to a certain volume of coolant that is capable of passing through the device per unit time at a given pressure.
If you have a project for a heating system, you can properly balance it quite simply: by setting the coolant flow rate in accordance with existing calculations.
Evgeniy Kruchinin
But it is important to take into account the fact that often design calculations differ from the actual parameters of the heating system. For example, the hydraulic resistance of a heating circuit can be easily changed by adding or removing an element from the system. But, in general, a good and correct project is a rarity for private houses.
Therefore, even if there is a project, the balancing methods presented below do not lose their relevance.
Temperature balancing
To balance the system by temperature, we will need the already familiar balancing valves (or thermal heads with presetting) and an electronic thermometer for non-contact measurement of surface temperature.
Balancing begins with the balancing valves on the last and penultimate radiator being fully opened. The coolant flow rate on the first, as well as on subsequent radiators from the boiler, is set to minimum values (with an increase in flow rate as the radiators move away from the boiler).
For example, if there are 8 radiators installed in the system, and the balancing valve screw is adjusted within 4.5 turns, then the first radiator from the boiler is first completely closed, then its balancing valve is unscrewed by 1.5 turns. The regulator of the second radiator is unscrewed by 2 turns, the third by 2.5, and so on. The coolant flow on the last and penultimate radiator in most cases remains maximum. If possible, adjustments are made only on those radiators that are closest to the boiler (the distance is measured from the beginning of the supply line).
It is not recommended to unscrew the regulator less than 1.5 turns. After all, if you turn down the throttle opening of the valve too much, the device will quickly become clogged with scale or other debris.
Fine adjustments are made according to the readings of the thermometer. The main goal of balancing in this case is to achieve approximately the same temperature difference at the inlet and outlet of each radiator.
If the temperature difference at the inlet and outlet of a single radiator reaches 10ºС, it is not recommended to close its balancing valve even more.
And one more thing: noise in the radiator during operation of the heating system indicates that the coolant flow should be reduced.
Launch rules
After installing the pump, it will need to be started. When performing such work, you should perform the following steps :
- fill water pipes made of copper, steel or metal-plastic with water and create static pressure in the system;
- using automatic air vents or a tap, remove air from the unit;
- turn on the heating device (boiler);
- turn on the pump and make sure that water circulates in the system;
- let the unit operate for several minutes;
- turn off the device and remove any remaining air from the system.
