Replies

1. 
   BoJangles | Nov 10, 2009 02:22am | #1

   If one pump is working well for you now, it should work with the new boiler.  The best thing to do is ask the boiler installer about his experience with systems like yours.

   Your "Cadillac" circulators would probably be of more benefit if you had circulators on each zone, not just one circulator for the whole system.

   What kind of a boiler are you installing?

   Do you have fin tube radiators? 

   Does the heating system seem to work properly with the old boiler?

1. 
   richardi | Nov 10, 2009 04:09am | #2

   Thanks for the input.  The reason I posted the question is because I have a circulator on each of the 3 existing zones, not valves.  I'd like some insight as to the pros and cons of each setup. 

   I am getting a Lochinvar Knight boiler and Squire indirect HW maker installed.

   I have a combination of fintube and Runtal heaters.  The 20 year old system worked ok, just seemed to be running all of the time.  And, my HW heater was electric... 

1. 
   BoJangles | Nov 10, 2009 03:54pm | #7

   Just to add to what others have said.....Multiple pumping was a very common way to set up boilers in our area.  I would say that about half of the homes around here were set up that way. 

   The main reason for that, was the large amount of water contained in the systems or the size of the system.  Sometimes we run into mixtures of piping sizes and they definitely don't work well with just one pump.  Just like today, some installers did it because they "always did it that way"

   It is also very common to just replace an older boiler with a new one and not change much of anything. 

   There is certainly nothing wrong with the setup you have except that it will probably use more electricity than if you had zone valves.  On the other hand, if you need the multi pumps for a reason, you have to pay for it.

   If there is no reason to have multiple pumps, I would use zone valves in a new system simply because there is less cost and maintenance involved over the long run.  Most typical size homes using fin tube radiation work fine set up that way.

   Your new pumps can give you a choice of regulated pressure or temperature.  If you have zones that are very different, that may be a feature you would want.

   If I was setting up your new system, I would probably lean toward leaving it pretty much the way it is....without actually being able to see it firsthand.

    

2. 
   Clewless1 | Nov 10, 2009 05:05am | #3

   Not sure ... wouldn't multiple pumps still require multiple valves lest the pump inadvertently circulate water through an adjacent zone? I've not seen multiple zone pumps used in any application residential or commercial. It's always one pump and then control valves. Pumps are more expensive than control valves, I assume.

1. 
   rich1 | Nov 10, 2009 05:14am | #4

   Not on primary secondary.  In some places, small pumps are cheaper than zone valves.  But, there is a greater operating cost.

3. 
   plumbbill | Nov 10, 2009 05:16am | #5

   Pumps are easier as they force feed/draw a system & don't require balancing.

   Zone valves = less pumps to break & draw current, but require balancing & a bigger single pump.

   Six in one hand, half dozen in the other.

   If you have pumps now, are they in good working order? If they are not broke why fix them?

    

1. 
   richardi | Nov 10, 2009 07:11am | #6

   Good info!

   I'm spending a lot of money on a 'whole' new system, I don't need a piece of the old system left behind to fail.

   Oh, I will keep the existing pumps for another project...