Grundfos GFOS NB 125-200/176-154 EUPASF2ABQQE

Pumps move water around heating systems, boost supplies to showers and buildings, lift water from wells and sumps, and clear condensate. This department runs from small domestic circulators to large inline, multistage and booster set pumps for commercial plant, with spares such as seal kits, terminal boxes and level sensors.

Main types

• Heating circulators: move water between the boiler, radiators and cylinder.
• Hot water circulators: keep domestic hot water moving around a loop, and are made with bronze or stainless steel bodies for that use.
• Shower and booster pumps: raise pressure and flow from stored water or a supply.
• Submersible and borehole pumps: sit in the water they lift, from wells, tanks and sumps.
• Condensate pumps: lift condensate from boilers or air conditioning where it cannot drain by gravity.

Key choices

A pump is chosen by its duty: the flow rate needed and the head, or pressure, it must work against. Then check the connection size and type, the supply (single phase or three phase) and whether the body suits the fluid. Domestic circulator names often state the connection size and maximum head. Since August 2015, glandless circulators for heating systems must have an energy efficiency index no higher than 0.23 to meet the ecodesign rules.

Regulations

In England and Wales, under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, you must notify the water supplier and get consent before fitting a pump or booster that draws more than 12 litres per minute from a supply pipe. In England, a new circuit for a pump, or electrical work near a bath or shower, is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, so use a registered competent person or notify building control.

For heating circulators, see circulation pumps; for shower boosting, see shower pumps.