Circulation pump for heating: top ten models and tips for customers

For heating small domestic premises and private houses, an autonomous water circuit, time-tested, is usually used. If the natural movement of the liquid at the desired speed is impossible, then a circulation pump is added to the system - the unit provides normal coolant pressure.

Among the many models, it is necessary to choose a device that is suitable for technical parameters, which is also distinguished by reliability and preferably an adequate price.

We offer you a review of the best models of domestic pumping equipment that are in demand among consumers and have gained a reputation for quality units. To facilitate the selection task, we described the main characteristics and parameters that should be considered when buying.

Those who like to do everything with their own hands will need the advice of our experts on integrating the pump into the heating circuit.

Rating of the best household models

The rating of household pumps for heating below includes devices in the price range from 2 to 17 thousand rubles. All presented models have 3 speed levels, a standard installation length of 180 mm and a working pressure limit of 10 bar.

1st place - Grundfos Alpha2 25-60 180

One of the new models of the well-known Danish company, which has proven itself when operating in real conditions.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 6 m;
• consumption - up to 2.8 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise - 43 dB.

Among the advantages of the model, reliability, low noise level and economy are already familiar to the company's products. Therefore, it can be installed in the living room.

In addition to the classic manual power control, the device is equipped with an intelligent system AutoAdapt for automatic adjustment of parameters to the conditions of the heating system. This allows you to quickly respond, for example, to connecting or disconnecting a circuit element and change the flow rate of the coolant.

There are many additional options, such as night and summer modes.

The only disadvantage of this model is considered a relatively high price for pumps with such characteristics. However, given the long life of trouble-free service and a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, the overpayment does not seem unreasonable.

Newer generation Alpha3 released recently and it is still difficult to assess the reliability of equipment of this line.

2nd place - Wilo Star-RS 25/4 180

Reliable and popular pumps of a well-known German manufacturer are also characterized by high-quality assembly and practical noiselessness.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 4 m;
• consumption - up to 3.0 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise is 44 dB.

This model has been produced for over 10 years. Over such a long period of operation, it became clear that this is one of the most reliable devices on the market.

It differs in build quality and ease of installation. There is a very successful solution that simplifies wiring: 4 positions of the terminal box and a removable cable.

3rd place - Grundfos UPS 32-80 180

Not a very new, but well-proven, quite powerful model for a domestic pump.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 8 m;
• flow rate up to - 11.0 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 2 ″;
• claimed noise - 43 dB.

It features quiet operation and durability. Users note its resistance to extreme situations, such as low voltage or stopping the flow of coolant.

Unlike many cheap analogs, it exactly matches the declared pressure characteristics.

4th place - Dzhileks Compass 32-60

The Russian model with popular parameters for users and a fairly low cost compared to competitors.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 6 m;
• consumption - up to 3.8 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/4 ″;
• claimed noise is 65 dB.

The device is equipped with a simple mechanical flow rate adjustment system. It has increased noise, especially at the third (highest) speed.

5th place - Grundfos UPS 25-40 180

A popular model that is often used for single-story buildings.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 4 m;
• consumption - up to 2.9 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise - 43 dB.

One of the most commonly purchased circulation pumps for heating. We can say that this model is outdated, since its production in Serbia has been going on for more than 15 years. It features a mechanical adjustment system, simplicity and reliability.

Recently, sellers and consumers have noted an increased number of low-quality clone fakes. Therefore, when buying, you need to check the serial number of the product on the basis posted on the official website of the company.

6th place - Wilo Top-S 25/10 DM

The most powerful pump among the models presented in the rating.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 10 m;
• consumption - up to 11.2 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise is 45 dB.

Usually it is used when it is necessary to heat large two-story rooms. It has good reliability, long life and very low noise level for such a powerful device.

7th place - Wilo Star-RS 25/2

The weakest in power and the most economical device of this rating.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 2 m;
• consumption - up to 2.2 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise is 44 dB.

It is often used for short and uncomplicated geometry contours of one-story buildings. Differs in reliability, low noise and profitability.

The disadvantages include the high cost for such a low-power device, especially compared to devices manufactured in Russia or China.

8th place - Wester WCP 25-60G (180 mm option)

A pump of Chinese manufacture, which is very inexpensive for the declared characteristics.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 6 m;
• consumption - up to 2.7 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 ″;
• claimed noise - 56 dB.

The pump has standard power settings.The noise level at the first and second speeds is quite low, and at the third - significant. Therefore, it is better not to place it near the bedrooms.

9th place - Gileks Compass 32-40

Inexpensive Russian pump with standard and popular parameters.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 4 m;
• consumption - up to 3 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/4 ″;
• claimed noise is 65 dB.

A typical most ordinary pump with mechanical power control without any significant pros or cons. Users report noise at the highest third speed.

10th place - Leberg GRS 25/4 180

The circulation model of Chinese production under the Norwegian brand.

Specifications:

• head at maximum mode - 4 m;
• consumption - up to 3 m³/ h;
• thread diameter - 1 1/2 ″;
• claimed noise is 52 dB.

Fairly high-quality model with a ceramic shaft. The manufacturer is not very well known, which, together with the manufacture of the pump in China, led to its low price.

Basic pump selection criteria

So that the circulation pump can be used for heating a private house, you must first determine the necessary values ​​of its main indicators. And only then to choose the manufacturer and model according to such parameters as brand, quality and price.

Maximum Head and Flow

Each pump has two main characteristics:

• maximum pressure - by how many meters the unit will be able to raise a column of water;
• maximum flow rate - how many cubic meters per hour the pump will let through, provided there is a completely horizontal circuit without resistance.

These two values ​​are “ideal”, unattainable in real conditions. They serve as extreme points in the pressure versus flow curve. This function is graphically shown for different pump operating modes in the user manual.

For the circuit along which the coolant flows, according to complex formulas, a curve is drawn of the relationship between water flow and pressure loss due to the hydraulic resistance of the network elements.

The intersection of these two curves is called the “pump operating point”. It will show the flow rate of the coolant that this unit will provide for a particular hydraulic system.

Knowing this value and cross section heating pipes, you can calculate the speed of water along them. The optimum value is in the range from 0.3 to 0.7 m / s.

The estimated coolant flow rate during pump operation in the second mode will be equal to 2.3 m3 / h. With a pipe diameter of 1.5 inches, the flow rate along them will be 0.56 m / s. The model in question is suitable for this heating system (+)

It is desirable that, according to the calculations, the operation of the pump at the second (average) speed would be sufficient.

This is due to the following reasons:

1. The error in the calculations. Actual resistance values ​​of the heating circuit may differ from the calculated values. In this case, to achieve normal speed, you may need to switch the mode to more or less powerful.
2. Probability of adding new itemssuch as radiators, control devices, etc. In this case, the resistance will increase, which will lead to a decrease in the flow rate. To solve this problem, you may need to switch to a third speed.
3. Increased equipment wear at maximum load. Work at medium power significantly extends the trouble-free operation of mechanical devices. This rule also applies to pumps.

Nowadays, modern devices for forced circulation are equipped with automated systems for maintaining optimal operating parameters. With their use, it has become much easier to achieve the desired indoor temperature.

For more information on calculating and choosing a pump for heating, see this article.

Other important features

The pump must be selected taking into account the “thread diameter” parameter.It must correspond to the internal size of the heating pipes.

To connect the pump to the pipes of the heating circuit, special union nuts are used, which usually come with the equipment

Another important parameter is the noise from the operation of the device. Since it is often the task to choose a quiet circulation pump for the heating system of residential premises, this indicator is indicated by almost all manufacturers along with technical data.

In order not to err in the purpose of the pump, it is necessary to pay attention to the range of permissible temperatures, which is defined for the pumped liquid. The upper limit should be at least 110 ° C, as boiling water in a closed system occurs at approximately this temperature.

If the lower value is less than 0 ° C, then it is permissible to turn on the pump at a negative temperature of the antifreeze circulating in the system. With frozen water, even in the case of maintaining its integrity circuit, it is impossible to start the device. First you need to defrost the system.

Nuances of installation of equipment

Household devices for forced circulation of water do not consume very much electricity - conventional pumps require up to 200 watts, but powerful ones with a maximum head of more than 10 m can take more than 1 kW of energy.

Therefore, their contribution to the total current of the circuit must be taken into account. It should be remembered that for such devices, the rated power exceeds the active (consumed).

Also, large pumps can operate from 380 V. But usually they heat significant areas to which three-phase power lines are connected and there are no problems with their connection.

If the pump has a maximum head height of 8 meters or more, then you must remember to look at the type of connection to the power supply.

Since the coolant passing through the system gives off energy and cools, its temperature at the end of the circuit is lower than at the beginning. Therefore, it is better to integrate the pump into the pipes closer to the inlet to the heat exchanger, i.e. to the "return". This will increase the service life of the device, since very hot water is worse for metal parts than partially cooled.

The insertion point must be selected in accordance with the rules. installation of pumping equipmentwhich are given in the installation manual. For each model, there are permitted engine orientation options that you must adhere to.

The heating circuit, as a rule, is designed taking into account the physical laws that justify the natural circulation, and the introduced pump should “help” the flow to gain the necessary speed. In order not to make a mistake with the orientation of the device, there is an arrow on its body showing the direction of pressure.

Sometimes unforeseen situations associated with a power outage occur. In this case, the pump will become an obstacle to the flow path, and a sharp slowdown in speed or a complete stop of it will most likely lead to boiling and damage to the heating system. To prevent this from happening, a bypass pipe is arranged in the place of the pump inlet.

In the event of a power outage, the bypass valve must be opened to bypass flow. Also, this design allows you to remove the pump without draining the water

Another way to avoid problems during a power outage is to purchase a backup power source for the pump. If the power of the device is small and is not more than 0.5 kW, then the best solution would be a set of battery and UPS with built-in stabilizer.

With a battery capacity of 200 Ah, a device with a 100 W motor will be able to work autonomously for about 20 hours.

For more powerful pumps, if you need long-term maintenance of its operation in the absence of electricity, you will have to purchase a generator. If you need to automatically turn on the backup power system, then it must support the autostart function and work in conjunction with the automatic reserve selector.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Calculation of the necessary characteristics of the pump depending on the parameters of the heating circuit:

Detailed video instruction for assembling a bypass from polypropylene pipes:

For any hydraulic circuit, you can choose a pump that helps to achieve the desired pressure. First of all, you need to pay attention to the pressure-flow characteristics of the device, and then to other technical data: profitability, noise, reliability and connection method.

Share your experience with the circulation pump with readers. Tell us what the choice of the unit was based on, and whether you are satisfied with the purchase. Please leave comments on the article, ask questions and participate in discussions. The contact form is located below.