Zoning a Hydronic Heating System

When you’re creating zones in a hydronic heating system, you have two options: circulator pumps and zone valves. Both do the same job of allowing heat into areas (zones) of a building that call for heat from the thermostat. Each method is reliable, and the choice between the two ultimately comes down to a matter of personal preference. The one advantage of using circulators is that your entire heating system does not depend on a single circulator. Zone valves have the benefit of smaller electrical draws.

SupplyHouse.com offers a wide-range of circulator pumps, zone valves, and controls from leading manufacturers.

Circulator Pump SALE

Through this Friday, save 5% on four popular circulator pump models by using promo code PUMP. Buy now and save on the Taco 007-F5, Grundfos UPS15-58FC, Bell & Gossett NRF-22, and Wilo Star S 21FX. This offer comes just in time for heating season. Free shipping is available on all orders over $300 delivered within the continental United States. To receive more SupplyHouse offers and coupons, sign up for our email newsletter.

Vertical Flanges for Tight Spaces

Most circulator pumps connect to a system’s piping with flanges (union and threaded options exist for some models). Standard pumps use standard-sized flanges. The pipe size of the flanges must be selected based on the piping to which they will be attached.

Generally, flanges run parallel to the pump’s casing. In certain instances, this may create spacing issues in the boiler room. The solution is a vertical flange pump. Also known as rotated or inverted flange, these pumps have flange connections that run perpendicular to the motor casing. The flanges that bolt on vertical flange pumps are the same; they just face in a different direction because of the configuration of the pump. One popular vertical flange pump is the Taco 0015-MSF2-1IFC. SupplyHouse.com stocks a wide range of circulator pumps from Taco, Bell & Gossett, Grundfos, and Wilo.

Sizing Circulator Pump Flanges

Most circulator pumps require flanges to connect to the piping in a hydronic system. For standard-sized pumps, flanges have a universal size. They may need to be purchased separately from the pump. Flanges are sold in pairs and include the nuts, bolts, and gaskets necessary for connection.

Pumps do not always come with flanges because of variances in pipe size. Standard 3/4” and 1” flanges fit on the same pump. They match up with 3/4” and 1” pipes, respectively. SupplyHouse.com offers shut-off flanges from Taco and Isolation Flanges from Webstone. Bronze flanges are ideal for use in open systems.