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Circulation pump speed

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10-12-09, 07:58 PM

JHZR2

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Circulation pump speed

Hello,

I have an old weil-mclain boiler with a single zone radiator system in my 1935 home. The circulation pump works, and is set to #2 (of 3 settings).

Our downstairs is very open, upstairs has bedrooms which makes it far less open. Upstairs gets pretty hot, downstairs stays cool, because heat rises (of course) and we have the thermostat set to 65.

Anyway, I'd like to have less heat arive upstairs, but yet have the radiators functional (not valved off). If I set the circulation pump to the slowest speed, #1, would I have more efficacy moving hot water downstairs (easier to pump water one lever vice two), and less overall water pumping through the system upstairs?

Or am I best off getting as much water moved as possible, and set the system on #3?

What is the basis behind the three settings? I assume it roughly correlates to 1-3 stories that are fed, but I'd appreciate insight.

Thanks,

JMH

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10-12-09, 08:53 PM

xiphias

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What brand/model pump?

What kind of radiators? How many pipes entering/exiting them?

No, the speed settings have nothing to do with how high the building is. And in general, flow speed has a far smaller effect on the emitted heat than changing the water temperature.

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