Replies

1. 
   calvin | Oct 14, 2020 06:46am | #1

   Buy local if you can and find a good plumbing supply. Ask their opinion on a good match.
   Just replaced a 30 y.o. Taco on the boiler last yr. all the other zone pumps were Grundfos. Have replaced 2 of those I think during that 30 yrs.

2. 
   catmandeux | Oct 14, 2020 06:58am | #2

   "better" is very subjective.
   Why is the replacement needed? What improvements have value to you?
   Efficiency, variable speed, noise...?

3. 
   firedudec56 | Oct 14, 2020 07:22am | #3

   got a call from a family member about smoke coming from the pump - thinking something went wrong in the wiring - pump probably about 25 yrs old, so my thought is to just replace it and maybe get something that is more efficient for power consumption and better in the distribution/control for the water and temperature - I could probably "rebuild it w/ a kit but I'd have to take it out for that, so a new one might be the way to go - checking it out later today

4. 
   firedudec56 | Oct 14, 2020 07:26am | #4

   I usually buy local, I get "good" enough prices from the supply houses, I keep the money local, they give me good information on the products and solving the problem I have, and if there's a problem with the product, they usually either take it back and get me another one the works, get me something that does work or give me a refund or credit

5. 
   catmandeux | Oct 14, 2020 12:27pm | #5

   Disclaimer: Hydronic systems not my field of business, speaking as a homeowner here. Did a major upgrade 4 years ago. Changed from 3 zone baseboard , to 2 radiant zone/ 4 baseboard zone system ( all bedrooms got individual controls). Compared fixed speed, 3 speed and variable speed pumps as part of the upgrade.

   My conclusions:
   3 speed ECM pumps are a good upgrade. More efficient, and you can select the speed that best matches the system. Cost difference can usually be recovered by electricity savings over a couple of years.

   The Delta T pumps are really nice. Pumps work only as hard as required. Balances flow to demand, and adapts well to multi zone systems. Cost is ~ double the fixed speed pumps.

   I installed 2 Taco VT2218 pumps in the upgrade. Pumps are quiet, power draw usually about 8W. Not sure the additional cost can be justified on electricity saving alone, but it did allow for the individual room controls.

   Suggest the ECM pumps if you are just repairing. If the systems will be upgraded now or the near future, the Delta-T pumps will allow more design options.

6. 
   firedudec56 | Oct 18, 2020 08:37pm | #6

   just an update - ended up getting the better Taco pump - easy install after changing the pump direction - thanks for all the help