Circ Pumps or Zone Valves?

[BoilerMan]

The Caleffi Z-one is just a typical synchronous motor head, power open and remove power to close. The small motor opens the valve against a spring and power holds it open, when you remove power the spring closes the valve and no power is used at all.

A simple Taco 007 and zone valves will work well for pretty much any residential application. I've been to 4,000 square foot houses with just one 007 and many zone valves that heated well.

TS

 

[velvetfoot]

A simple Taco 007 and zone valves will work well for pretty much any residential application. I've been to 4,000 square foot houses with just one 007 and many zone valves that heated well.

What I'm trying to figure out is if it's worth the effort to change from a pump setup to zone. I'll only have two zones (but probably two boiler pumps going into a buffer tank that has a coil for dhw, so I don't know what those pumps would be like either). I'm thinking I have some velocity noise from a Taco 007 pumping into the downstairs zone so maybe a little less flow would help as well.

 

[DZL_Damon]

oh, if you are already plumbed up that way and don't want to change it up, there is no problem with your current system. I was under the impression you were doing a new system or tearing your old one apart enough where it had to be redone.

If you want to put in some energy efficient pumps you can do the Grundfos Alpha's or similar. They are $150 a whack though....

However... it's not too difficult to make it into a zone valve system if you don't mind some easy electrical (24v) and a little soldering. That's all up to you.

 

[MarkW]

Sounds like you're itching to switch? I just swapped from a taco that was overpumping my zones (I knew it was going to need swapped) to an Alpha. I love that pump. Just plug it in and it works. It doesn't seem flow enough for my plate exchanger for dhw to work quickly but that's not what's in the future so I'm not concerned. Having it ramp to meet the various zone requirements is the best. I didn't like how the taco variable pumped wide open for 30 sec before adjusting to meet deltaT. My fuel usage seemed to drop just a bit after installing the alpha. It's usually running right around 1-2gpm. 4gpm at most with all 3 zones going.