Everything You Should Know About Heat Pumps
What's A Circulator Pump, And How Does It Affect Your Home's Heat?
Jessica Jimenez
Hydronic heating systems use circulating hot water to keep your home warm. Your home has a hydronic system if you have radiators, radiant floor heating, or non-electric baseboard heaters. Older hydronic systems use to rely on steam pressure to carry heat through your home, but most modern designs rely on a circulator pump to keep water moving.
The role of the circulator pump isn't hard to understand. This pump creates the internal pressure necessary to move hot water to your heaters and back to your boiler, where it can be heated once again. Water cannot efficiently move through the system without this pump. As a result, a failed pump can reduce your heating efficiency or stop your heat from working.
How Do You Know If Your Pump is Failing?
Circulator pumps are mechanical components, which means they have internal parts that can wear out over time. There's no specific lifespan to a circulator pump, and they aren't an item that requires replacement as part of a routine maintenance plan. However, there are some signs that your circulator pump may be approaching the end of its useful lifespan.
If you're worried that your pump may be on its last legs, you can look for a few unmistakable signs of failure. Start your investigation near the pump. Can you see any leaks from the pump or its fittings? You can also listen for any loud squeaking or grinding noises. These sounds can indicate that your pump's internal bearings are wearing out.
You can also look for evidence elsewhere in your system. Carefully check the pipes from your boiler to the circulator. If these pipes are hot, your boiler is working as it should. Continue to check for heat throughout the system. Cool inlet pipes on your radiators or after the circulator signifies that your pump isn't moving water through the system at a sufficient rate to keep your home warm.
What Can You Do About a Failing Circulator?
Circulator pump problems aren't something you'll want to address on your own unless you have a significant amount of HVAC experience. Additionally, not every sign pointing to circulator failure means that you'll need to replace the pump to restore your heating. In some cases, contamination in the system may cause the pump to become blocked, or an electrical issue may stop it from working.
A trained HVAC technician with experience in hydronic heating systems will be able to confirm that your pump is operating as it should and recommend the best solution to get your heat working again. Taking advantage of their professional advice will ensure that you get the most cost-effective solution instead of wasting money replacing a pump that may still be salvageable.
Contact a local heating repair service to learn more.
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Hello. My name is Josiah. I am a 44-year-old married dad of three. I work in the automotive industry and love what I do. Recently, my heating and cooling unit stopped working. I did a lot of research on what type of heating element I should install in my home. I wanted something energy efficient, yet reliable and lasting. After a lot of research, I settled on a heat pump. A heat pump is a great heating and cooling element that many people don't yet know about. I created this blog to help educate other people on heat pumps and answer questions related to it. If you need a new heating or cooling device for your home, I hope my website helps explain to you what a heat pump is and how it can be beneficial.