Every building can be improved in terms of energy efficiency. More or less, of course, because not everyone can be built again from scratch. However, improving efficiency is possible anywhere if you put your mind to upgrading key installations. Today we will try to answer the question of what role CH and DHW pump controllers play in this.
Thinking of an energy-efficient house, what comes to mind are modern buildings that use ecological architectural solutions, i.e.: simple block (which limits heat loss), good insulation, proper ventilation, tight windows and doors, layout of rooms taking into account environmental factors, e.g. insolation (living rooms in the southern part). We also associate high energy class home appliances (eco-friendly refrigerator, washing machine, etc.) with energy efficiency.
However, building issues don’t get the job done. Replacing electronics alone also won’t produce the results we expect when we want to improve home energy savings. The main way to do this is through plumbing infrastructure. More simply, upgrading the most important elements of a home’s functioning: the plumbing and heating systems. Without this, the house will never be an energy-efficient home.
Of course not.
Energy-efficient homes must have the lowest possible demand for primary non-renewable energy , that is, the energy required for annual: heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, for operating electrical appliances and for preparing domestic hot water (DHW). That’s why any technology that reduces non-renewable energy is critical to improving a building’s energy efficiency. Not even the newest one anymore.
The conclusion is obvious: to think about better energy efficiency, you don’t have to tear off the roof, tear down the walls or build a new house. Although a simple block, modern thermal insulation and a pitched roof is the ideal model for an energy-efficient building, not all of us can or want to live like this. If we take basic care to reduce heat loss, most of the “energy-saving work” will be done for us by devices that improve the operation of home installations. They are the ones that will save energy most quickly and effectively. An example of such devices are controllers for CH and/or DHW pumps.
Pump controllers are devices that control the flow of water (heating medium) in the central heating circuit. They are mainly used in smaller installations with a heating boiler, where the boiler controller does not support the circulation pump. The task of the controller is to start the pump if the temperature exceeds the indicated value, and to turn it off if the boiler cools down (“quenching”).
Controllers for circulating pumps support optimal boiler operation. What’s more, since they prevent their unnecessary work, they bring savings in existing electricity consumption (up to 60%, depending on the boiler’s mode of operation). Many pump controllers also offer audible alarms to warn of malfunctions and protect against boiling water and severe damage to the heating system. Control electronics help avoid frozen pipes or corrosion during periods of downtime – such as summer.
Let’s remember that heating control – even the simplest – is already a cost-saving gold standard. If, in the spirit of energy efficiency, we are upgrading an older installation, we should equip it with pump controllers that we can easily integrate into the heating system. Of course, if we fit them properly. Before buying, always check the technical specifications or ask an experienced installer.
Domestic hot water should always be ready to draw from home taps. This is also the gold standard, but of convenience. On its circulation in the pipes, constant circulation from the place where it is heated to the points of consumption (in the bathroom or kitchen) depends our comfort and efficient use of the household.
However, in order for the DHW pump to consume the least amount of money for water consumption and electricity, it must be controlled. For this purpose, controllers for DHW cycle pumps have been developed.
Controllers for the DHW cycle pumps, that is, the pumps that work between the boiler and the tank, make it possible to heat the water in the tank efficiently. The water heats up with the heat taken from the boiler.
Thanks to the controllers, the pump runs only until the temperature of the storage tank is reached. This allows you to manage hot water without costly waste.
Savings guaranteed.
An extremely convenient option are modern controllers that operate both the CH and DHW pump. The dual-purpose operation makes the device most versatile. Its functions correspond to those described above.
Such controllers will turn on when the temperature of the boiler exceeds the temperature set by the householder to start the CH pump, and turn off when the switch-off temperature is exceeded. On the other hand, by controlling the DHW circuit pump, they will allow to maintain the set temperature in the tank. The DHW pump will run until the set thermal value in the tank is reached. And not a moment longer.
Electronic control of the operation of the CH and DHW pump makes these devices work much more efficiently and serve us longer. Pump controllers counteract irreversible damage to the hydraulic mechanism, increasing its service life. Also, we can not forget about the safety of using such products. Controllers turn off the pump when the temperature rises too much, and turn on control so that it does not fall to negative values – “bursting” the pipes and devastating the installation. This is very important, because an energy-efficient house must be safe.
So if the heat source in our house is a boiler without a factory-built CH water controller, installing separate controllers for the pumps is economical, to say the least. Controllers will prevent pumps from running unnecessarily and wasting energy. They extend the life of the water pumping equipment and, consequently, will save energy. This is why every energy-efficient home must be equipped with modern intake controllers – including thermostats for the CH and DHW pumps.