Grundfos UPS 15-58FC strong enough?

josephny

Is a Grundfos UPS 15-58FC strong enough to pump a 50% glycol mix to the 3rd floor of a house from the basement (approx 30')?

I read the literature and it seems like it is not, but I wanted to make sure because my supply house advised and sold me 5 of them.

Thanks.

yellowdog

height is handled by your boiler pressure. you need to know gallons per minute and feet of head to size a circ correctly. most likely the grundfos will work.

josephny

No surprise that it is more complicated that I understood.

Is the following info enough to determine if the pumps are appropriate:

2gpm, 20 PSI, 3/4" pex-A.

Top floor is 30' above pump and totals approximately 250' of 3/4" pex-A.

2nd floor is 20' above pump and totals approximately 300' of 3/4" pex-A.

1st floor has 4 zones, all 10' above pump:
Zone 1: 250'
Zone 2: 250'
Zone 3: 300'
Zone 4: 300'

GroundUp

The pressure is what lifts the water- pump size is largely irrelevant to height. 30ft would require about 13 psi, so at 20 as you stated, there would be no concern using the 15-58 to move 2 GPM through a 250ft loop of 3/4" pex. I am curious about your emitter(s) though- are you trying to just loop 3/4" tubing around the joists or what is emitting the BTU?

Hot_water_fan

If this is a closed, pressurized system, then you’re way off base. Height is irrelevant in this situation. 

josephny

GroundUp said:

The pressure is what lifts the water- pump size is largely irrelevant to height. 30ft would require about 13 psi, so at 20 as you stated, there would be no concern using the 15-58 to move 2 GPM through a 250ft loop of 3/4" pex. I am curious about your emitter(s) though- are you trying to just loop 3/4" tubing around the joists or what is emitting the BTU?

Okay, I'm beginning to get a basic understanding.

The emitters in all but 1 of the 6 zones are copper/fin-type baseboards. The other zone (in the floor joists in the ceiling of the basement) are in Uponor tracks.

Thank you.

josephny

Hot_water_fan said:

If this is a closed, pressurized system, then you’re way off base. Height is irrelevant in this situation. 

That's great to know -- I was indeed way way off base. I'm pointed in the right direction now.

Thank you.

hot_rod

50% is a fairly high % concentration, especially inside a building?
That will cost you both pumping capacity and heat transfer