Do energy saving pumps really make a difference?

Do energy saving pumps really make a difference? - the computer says 'yes' by David Spragg, Residential Manager, Wilo UK

At a time when energy saving and reducing emissions are still the hottest topics in the domestic heating sector, taking a close look at reducing energy usage by all the key components of a heating and hot water system makes huge sense.

Whilst Building Regulations Part L has pretty much addressed the issues relating to boiler efficiency in new boiler installations, in the same way that there are still huge numbers of elderly boilers operating across the UK at anything from a meagre 40% efficiency upwards, there are massive numbers of elderly, energy guzzling, uncontrolled domestic pumps and circulators operating on heating systems - using far more electricity than is really necessary in this day and age.

So exactly how much energy does a pump really use, what can be done about the worst ones and what alternatives are there to replace them?.

And before you say 'but a heating pump doesn't use that much energy anyway' - you might be surprised by some of the facts and figures.

The average heating pump in the UK is one of the highest consumers of electricity in the home along with the main culprits - dishwashers, tumble dryers, washing machines and perhaps surprisingly stand-by losses - the little red lights that stay 'on', on all electrical appliances around the house when you think you've turned them off.

There are about 87 million small circulator pumps installed on heating systems across mainly Northern Europe - in total, they need the combined output of four nuclear power stations just to drive them alone.

So that would suggest that there is room for massive improvement and energy reduction in the area of pumps and pumping systems.

Reducing it by just 25% would mean one power station's output saved.

Of course whilst reducing the energy need from pumps is good for energy conservation and a reduction in harmful emissions, it's also good for consumers pockets.

Despite increasing awareness of global warming and a realisation that everyone has a role to play in addressing the problems, lower energy bills are still the best incentive to most people to reduce their energy use.

Wilo has recognised its responsibilities in this area and for many years has been developing ever more efficient pump technology.

It developed the first ever 'A' rated pump and has gone on to develop its EC (electronic commutated) motor technology and permanent magnet rotors, and these have been incorporated into its Stratos-Eco pump series which offers in the region of 80% energy consumption reduction over standard uncontrolled pumps.

These are available now in the UK from merchants around the country.

How energy efficient are they? The new Wilo Eco-Stratos uses just 6W of input - amazingly that's less than a TV or DVD standby mechanism, that uses around 8W.

Wilo's energy saving range of domestic pumps is acknowledged by many boiler manufacturers who are incorporating them in tens of thousands of their combi and system boilers every year.

Installers too are turning to them because of their reliability, quietness in operation and ease of installation.

And specifiers looking to meet the energy saving targets they are set by Government for new build and replacement systems are selecting Wilo pumps for their energy saving credentials.

With the increasing popularity of solar thermal heating systems in this country, as a means of taking advantage of renewable energy sources, installers and specifiers have been keen to find a pump that was designed specifically to meet the requirements of a solar system.

Wilo's new Stratos-ECO-ST is a derivative of the new Stratos-ECO pump, and it has been designed specifically to complement solar thermal heating systems and save even more energy.

It's clearly pointless installing solar heating as part of an energy efficiency drive and then using a standard pump that uses far too much energy and cannot be controlled.

And you can find out how else you can save energy in the home by obtaining your own copy of the newly released Wilo Eco Guide.

It's a guide to everything you need to know about reducing energy consumption in the home environment - not just relating to domestic heating.

For your copy, call Wilo on 01283 523000, email them at sales@wilo.co.uk or visit the web site.

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