Guide to Selecting Wilo Circulating Pumps for Family Homes

Circulating pumps are an essential component of heating/cooling systems in family homes, helping to efficiently distribute hot or cold water throughout the house via underfloor heating or radiators. This guide will help you understand how to choose the right circulating pump, especially if you are encountering this issue for the first time.

What is a circulating pump and how does it work?

A circulating pump is a device that helps circulate the heating/cooling medium in a closed system. Since it is a closed system, the pump only overcomes the pressure losses of the circuit, and the height of the building has no influence on the pump selection. The correct pump can be designed simply based on the heated area or the number of installed radiator units using the table below.

Why is the correct pump selection important?

A properly designed pump ensures:

System efficiency and even distribution of heat or cold.
Energy savings: A properly designed and set pump saves up to 80% compared to old 3-speed pumps.
Long system lifespan: Correct selection, maintenance of the pump and system extends the lifespan of the entire system.

Selecting the right pump

Using the table above, we can identify one of the suitable types of pumps. WILO offers 4 series of pumps in this category, differing in offered functions, connection dimensions, and delivery height.

Explanation of manufacturer markings on the Yonos PICO 1.0 25/1-4-130 pump

Yonos: Standard electronically controlled pump with high efficiency
PICO: Pump size suitable for family homes
1.0: Pump generation
25/: Nominal connection diameter
1-4: Pump delivery height range [m]
130: Pump construction length [mm]

Pump performance:

Select a pump with sufficient performance for your home. The suitable type of pump depends on the size of the house and the number of radiators or the area of the heated space.

Pump size:

Ensure the pump physically fits into your system. Pay attention to the dimensions and connections of the pump. In the PICO pump series, we encounter dimensions DN15, 20, or 30, and further with the length of the pump's spiral casing of 130 or 180 mm.

Energy efficiency:

All offered PICO pump series represent high energy efficiency due to the use of electronically commutated motors with an integrated frequency converter. Electricity savings compared to the old technology of three-speed circulating pumps is up to 80%.

Recommended Wilo models for family homes

Atmos PICO – the basic variant of the circulating pump, consisting of a screw connection, EC energy-saving motor, and integrated frequency converter. The pump is suitable as a replacement for old 3-speed pumps mainly in heating systems using radiators.

Yonos PICO – the middle variant of the circulating pump, consisting of a screw connection, EC energy-saving motor, and integrated frequency converter. The pump is suitable as a replacement for old 3-speed pumps in heating systems using radiators and underfloor heating.

Stratos PICO – the highest variant of the circulating pump, consisting of a screw connection, EC energy-saving motor, and integrated frequency converter. The pump is suitable for the most demanding heating applications, where emphasis is placed on the required pump equipment in terms of offered communication and control functions.

Varios PICO – a variable variant of the circulating pump, consisting of a screw connection, EC energy-saving motor, and integrated frequency converter. The pump is suitable for geothermal and solar applications.

All the above-mentioned pumps come with a 5-year warranty.

Installation and maintenance of the circulating pump

Installation:

Installation should be carried out by a qualified professional. Proper installation is crucial for the efficient and safe operation of the pump.
Set the pump correctly according to the required system and house size.

Maintenance:

Regularly (twice a year) check the pump for possible leaks and excessive noise.
Keep the pump clean and free of dust.

Solving common problems

Noise or vibrations:

Check if the pump is mounted in the correct position. It must never be installed with the module facing upwards or downwards.
Bleed the system.
Set the pump to constant pressure control (for underfloor heating) or variable pressure (radiator systems). We do not recommend setting the pump to constant speed due to increased noise and possible vibrations.

To identify an error, use the WILO fault report assistant.

Select a Wilo circulating pump