Noise coming from a heating system can be a big problem for a homeowner. It often travels through liquids, pipes or masonry and unpleasant sounds are then carried throughout the property. The causes can be varied and need attention as they can lead to irreversible damage to the heating system and individual components. The appropriate choice of circulator is essential for success. The multinational technology group Wilo, a manufacturer of pumps and pumping systems, uses its own acoustic chamber to carry out detailed noise tests. For this testing, it uses a special acoustic camera that visually reveals noisy areas on the pump under test. It even detects sound that the human ear cannot detect.
“The sound intensity level of the pumps is one of the basic criteria we test. It is not our purpose to simply meet the standards by which pumps can be put into service. The aim is to deliver products of the highest possible quality that are reliable beyond expectations. However, it is not always about the pump problem itself. It can also be about incorrect commissioning, where the result can be that the system is operating at a higher flow rate than required. Another problem may be improper hydronic balancing, or it may simply be an inappropriate pump selection for the heating system. Wilo pumps have automatic system balancing, automatic venting and an integrated control unit. This optimises the flow rate so that not only the pump but also the pipework is noiseless. Our assistance with pump selection and commissioning is a matter of course,” said Jan Cidlinský, Managing Director of Wilo Czech Republic.
There can be several causes of noise and it is important to address the problem immediately as it can lead to serious damage to the heating system in the building. Sometimes pump noise can also indicate the age of the pump. In older heating systems, there are still many pumps of older types, the so-called three-speed pumps, which are characterized by high energy consumption. If such a pump is replaced with a new one, it is possible to save typically 80% of the electricity, but also a significant amount of CO2.
