Pump Facts
The overall efficiency of any pump used in a building HVAC system is determined by a number of factors, including:
  • the efficiency of the pump and motor
  • the efficiency of the pump control
  • how well technicians maintain the pump and its related components.

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No matter how advanced the control system or how good the design, pump systems will operate effectively and efficiently only if you schedule maintenance properly.
 
 

Pumps
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Pumps are a key component in most heating systems and when your pump is not working it results in little to no heat. If you have a leaking pump it is often a bad seal and can be repaired without replacing the whole pump. A loud motor is sometimes the result of bad bearings and it can be repaired without replacing the motor.  One of the most important maintenance tasks is to pay attention to a pump’s operation. Does it look and sound normal, or has it developed unusual sounds or vibrations? Louder-than-normal or unusual sounds can indicate a range of problems, from misalignment and bad bearings. We offer complete repair and installation of all pumps and pump motors. S&J Jamrog offers services to all size jobs and we guarantee that you will receive specific attention to your project, as we will provide you with the best solutions to making your project efficient and effective for your environment.

PUMPS 101
The resulting costs from pump repairs and disruption to building operations typically exceed the cost of ongoing pump maintenance by a factor of 10 or more. Maintenance activities and the frequency with which they must be performed vary with the capacity of the pump and the nature of the load that it is serving.

An occasional small leak rate is normal, but a sudden flooding of the area near pump shafts indicates that a seal has failed and needs replacing. Excessive heat can indicate a failing bearing or a motor that might need replacing. By checking the pump regularly, we can identify pump problems early, reducing repair costs and disruptions to operations.

Beyond periodic checks on pump operations, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule of maintenance activities. But these are the minimum maintenance requirements. Pumps serving critical applications in a building will require additional maintenance activities if they are to enhance system reliability.
 

DID YOU KNOW...

Why Do Pumps Fail?
Pump failures fall into four general categories:

  • a defective pump
  • a poor application design
  • improper maintenance
  • poor operating practices

New Pumps
New pump designs and high-efficiency drive motors can improve operating efficiency. For example, by replacing a pump motor with a high-efficiency model, managers can achieve a reduction in energy requirements of 1-5 percent. Similarly, installing a high-efficiency pump can reduce energy requirements 1-3 percent. While these efficiency improvement numbers are relatively small, the typical annual hours of operation for many pump applications can make the resulting savings very significant.

While using higher-efficiency pumps and motors will improve operating efficiency somewhat, the greatest improvements in efficiency come from new designs of pump controls. Traditional pump installations use constant-speed pumps.