Circulator pump question

[gorsuchmill]

I have an oil boiler serving 6 zones (5 heat and 1 DHW). Each zone has a circulator on the supply side, but there is no circulator to push the return water through the boiler. Is this setup OK, or should there be a return side circulator to move the water through the boiler more quickly? If the latter, should there be some type of loop that circulates back to the return in the event the secondary loops are not drawing enough water to take the pressure off of the primary circulator?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Eric Johnson]

Here's a recent thread that goes into some detail about where circulators should be located. The bottom line is that there are different opinions.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/16365/

But to answer your question, if set up properly, there's nothing wrong with having your circs on the supply side. No need for corresponding units on the return (or vice versa).

If you're having a problem, give us some more details and I'm sure somebody will try to help you out.

 

[Nofossil]

I've got 5 zones plus DHW and I use only a single circulator. Unless there's something unusual, you should be fine. As Eric asks - are you having any problems with the current setup?

 

[gorsuchmill]

I'm not having any problems other than fuel cost, and trying to maximize the efficiency of my system.

Thanks.

 

[Redox]

I'm not having any problems other than fuel cost, and trying to maximize the efficiency of my system.

Thanks.

Same problem as everybody else. Don't blame the circulator; the burner is your problem! :lol: