Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
If our community has helped you, please consider making a contribution to support this website. Thanks!

Circulator or pump?

painterswife
painterswife Member Posts: 9

20 year old two zone radiant in floor system

Taco pump on each zone

Hot water supplied for electric tank

Replacing one of the taco pumps. Do I need a new pump or will a circulator work as well?

Comments

  • GroundUp
    GroundUp Member Posts: 2,422

    You already have circulators, and will replace with another

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,648

    anything on a closed loop hydronic system is a circulator, we just call them pumps sometimes but the correct term is circulator because they do not pump, they circulate

  • painterswife
    painterswife Member Posts: 9

    Should I stick with Taco or look at something else? This is in the bedroom zone and only runs when the temperature gets very cold. I think it ran less than 20 hours last year.

    Recommendations welcome.

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,648

    it's typically easiest to replace like for like, taco has replaceable internals that can be cheaper than a whole new pump, either way worst case if you change the whole motor with like for like you just take the old motor off the volute and replace, no need to swap the body unless its leaking. I think most would probably agree for residential circs Taco, Grundfos, Wilo are typically considered in the same realm as being good products. Taco and Grundfos are definitely the most common in my area, can pretty much guarantee local wholesalers all have the 2-3 common models on the shelf. I like Wilo as well they just aren't stocked in my area.

    painterswife
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,173

    A circulator is a specific type of pump designed for use in closed-loop systems, primarily for moving fluids like water in hydronic heating, cooling, or hot water recirculation systems.  While technically a pump, a circulator is specialized for low-pressure, high-flow applications where the primary goal is to maintain continuous fluid movement rather than to lift fluid against gravity or generate high pressure.  Unlike general-purpose pumps that may need to overcome significant static head (elevation changes), circulators operate within a pressurized system where the fluid is already at the required elevation, so they only need to overcome friction losses in the piping. this means that you already have Taco circulator pumps that circulate water in a closed system. All circulators are pumps, however, not all pumps are circulators. here are some pumps that do not circulate and can develop much higher pressure than a circulator:

    Screenshot 2025-10-13 at 10.14.02 AM.png

    As far as changing an existing circulator pump on your system, you are often better off replacing like for like as @GGross mentioned unless someone specified an incorrect circulator pump for your needs. This does not seem to be the case here. I have often found that you can purchase a new circulator pump of the same model number, and just replace the motor housing and impeller cartridge without needing to take the pump casing off of the connected piping. This saves time and labor hours.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Alan (California Radiant) Forbespainterswife
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,778

    A few thoughts, I agree circulator pump is the best description.

    A DHW recirc pump morphs between a closed and open loop to some extent.

    A circulator used on solar drainback starts out as a "lift" circulator pump. Able to lift water to whatever the head capability. So "lift head" as opposed to head.

    I think any pump could be used as a circulator? It's pump curve would indicate it abilities

    Head - the mechanical energy contained in a fluid

    Screenshot 2025-10-13 at 11.39.38 AM.png
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    EdTheHeaterMan