How to Choose the Size of the Boiler Feed Pump

When you need to buy a boiler feed pump you can’t just buy any pump you come across. This is an important decision to make and should not be taken lightly. If the pump you choose cannot handle the output of the boiler system, you could find yourself with quite a bit of problems on your hand. That’s why you should know what exactly to look for, specifically the size of the boiler feed pump.

One of the first things you need to look for is the boiler’s steaming rate. This will help you determine how much water is leaving the boiler’s operating range in terms of speed. It’s best to find this information by contacting the manufacturer of the boiler or looking at documents associated with the boiler.

The next piece of information you need to collect prior to buying a boiler feed pump is the time lag for turning steam into condensate, or how long it takes the steam to make a trip all the way around the boiler system. The best way to figure out how long this takes is by timing the old boiler. Turn it on and put your hand on it. Once it’s too hot to the touch, you can begin timing. The timing stops when you notice the condensate return to the room.

The boiler feed pump that you purchase will need to meet the steaming rate put forth by the boiler. At the same time, the receiver for the condensate will need to have enough room to accept the condensate that returns after the lag time.

You will also need to take the following into consideration:

• How the pipes pitch

• How the building is shaped

• The radiators that are installed

• The distance between the nearest radiator and the boiler

Take all of these things into account when choosing a boiler feed pump.