Cold outside, cosy inside – efficient central heating pumps for a comfortable home

The central heating system is designed to heat multiple rooms simultaneously using a heat source located either within one of the heated rooms or in an external location. Regardless of the heat emitters used, such as radiators or underfloor heating, the liquid central heating system relies on the circulation of the heating medium along the boiler-radiator route. This circulation is usually forced and carried out by a central heating pump. But what exactly is it? And how does it work?

Heart of the heating system: The pump

The heating pump is a crucial component of the heating system as it ensures that the hot water, heated in the boiler, circulates through the supply pipes to the radiators in each room. Without the pump, the water would not flow properly, and the heating system would be inefficient. The pump creates a pressure difference in the system and moves the water along the pipelines. This ensures that the water reaches all radiators evenly, effectively heating the rooms.

Choosing the right heating pump is of immense importance. It must meet specific parameters to meet the system's requirements. A pump that is too weak cannot generate enough pressure to transport the water to the farthest radiators, while an oversized pump consumes unnecessary amounts of energy.

Different types of heating pumps

Over the decades, the technology, operation, and efficiency of heating pumps have significantly changed.

Uncontrolled pumps offer no option to adjust power or speed. Their performance is typically too high, and they are often oversized for the heating system they are installed in. This means that these pumps always run at full capacity, often even outside the heating season. As a result, they are among the least efficient of their kind.

Electronically controlled heating pumps operate according to the thermostat settings of the radiators. They adjust their power consumption electronically and independently based on the thermostat settings and outside temperature. They are the precursor to high-efficiency pumps and require only about half the energy compared to uncontrolled pumps.

High-efficiency pumps automatically adjust their speed and power to the current heating demand and are continuously adjustable. They are designed to only run when water needs to be circulated. Among all heating pumps, they have the lowest power consumption. This not only saves energy but also potentially extends the pump's lifespan.

The difference in annual consumption between old single-stage uncontrolled pumps and high-efficiency pumps is significant:

A properly functioning heating pump, ideally a high-efficiency pump, is therefore a crucial factor for the optimal operation of the central heating system. It ensures even distribution of heat throughout the house and helps improve energy consumption and significantly reduce heating costs.

If you have any questions regarding the selection of the right heating pump, your installer will be happy to assist you.