Heating installations are comprehensive systems whose aim is to ensure an optimal microclimate in each room. They consist of many elements with various functions, the main ones of which are: a boiler - a source of heat - and pipes distributing this heat throughout the apartment. To ensure the best possible heating efficiency, it is worth using technologies that hydraulically balance heating systems. They always come to the rescue when the installer does not have a detailed design of the heating installation. Find out more about the ALPHA 2 and ALPHA 3 systems from Grundfos!
What should you remember when installing a heating system?
When installing or modernizing heating systems, the installer aims to provide household members with thermal comfort with the lowest possible energy consumption. Achieving the optimal proportion may be difficult due to the lack of installation design. In such a case, it is difficult to assess the pressure losses in the heating circuits and the required amount of heating medium that should be supplied to the radiators.
Inadequate distribution of the heating liquid results in uneven heating of rooms and, as a result, unnecessary losses. This applies to up to 80% of all central heating installations! The causes of the problem may be various - from irregularities at the level of installation or operation, to the lack of a hydraulic balancing mechanism.
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Technologies that hydraulically balance heating installations not only translate into heat savings and reduced electricity consumption, but above all guarantee an optimal microclimate in all rooms. The temperature level has a decisive impact on the health, well-being and work efficiency of the apartment's tenants. Unique Grundfos technologies can take care of this.
ALPHA2 and ALPHA3 system - an innovative solution from Grundfos
ALPHA2 and ALPHA3 systems are technologies designed for hydraulic balancing of heating systems of all types - underfloor heating, central radiator heating, as well as mixed installations. This type of solution allows you to quickly and precisely equalize the distribution of the heating liquid, based on its actual flows and pressure losses in all circuits.
What does a hydraulic balancing system consist of?
Depending on the selected variant, the pumps communicate in different ways with the GO Balance application, which is used to remotely control them.
The ALPHA2 system includes a model E pump and an additional ALPHA Reader communication module. The Grundfos GO Balance app can be downloaded to your smartphone for free. The heating water flow and pressure loss values are sent via an optical signal from the pump to the above-mentioned module, and from there - via Bluetooth - to the mobile device.
ALPHA3 pumps are model B, equipped with direct communication with the GO Balance application. Therefore, an additional module is unnecessary in this case. GO Remote technology allows you to remotely control the pump.
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What does the balancing process involve?
The hydraulic balancing process, for which modern Grundfos devices are responsible, includes 5 stages .
- To optimize your home's heating, you need to configure the system. To do this, download the Grundfos GO Balance application and install and run the communication module, which should be located on the ALPHA2 pump. This stage is definitely less complicated in the case of the ALPHA3 system.
- The next step is to enter data and settings regarding the installation and room layout in the house. The device must find out the area of all rooms, what type and size of radiators (or loops - in the case of underfloor heating) and what the heating operating parameters are (for example, the heating water supply temperature).
- Once the devices are configured, a zero flow measurement should be performed. This is done with closed circuits, in all heating circuits or loops (underfloor heating).
- The penultimate stage of the process is the proper balancing of the heating system. This is achieved by adjusting the presetting on the thermostatic valve or the regulating valve on the distributor beam. The indicator in the mobile application will inform you about the optimal setting. It should be in the green area, which will be additionally signaled acoustically.
- Finally, the correct pump settings and the configuration of its optimal operating mode are included in the report, which also includes data about the installer and the system owner. The document can be sent to the end user by e-mail.
Benefits of using the ALPHA3 system
Heating installations can benefit greatly from hydraulic balancing systems. Solutions of this type generate savings of 15 percent and are of great importance for the health and well-being of tenants. But what is the advantage of ALPHA3 pumps over other products from this segment?
ALPHA3 by Grundfos is the first circulation pump for home use fully integrated with a mobile application. As a result, all information regarding the operation of the device and the settings of its functions are available from the phone. This allows, among other things, the configuration of the weekly pump operation schedule, depending on the user's needs.
Unlike the ALPHA2 pump, in this case it is not necessary to install an additional communication module, as the device sends a direct signal to the application during hydraulic balancing. Installation and operation are therefore much easier.
The ALPHA3 pump is equipped with an automatic venting function, as well as an auto-adaptation function for all heating systems - underfloor heating, radiator heating and hybrid heating.
Also noteworthy is the Grundfos GO Balance application itself, which, thanks to its intuitive interface, guides the user step by step through the hydraulic balancing process and allows convenient control of all pump functions. It provides information about the actual required flow values for each radiator in the installation, which makes it easier to maintain the optimal temperature throughout the house. The app also provides access to Grundfos online tools. You can download it for free from Google Play or the App Store.
Trust Grundfos solutions!
Grundfos is the largest pump manufacturer in the world. Its devices are reliable and provide best-in-class energy efficiency. When installing or modernizing heating installations, it is worth trusting proven solutions that make heating easier and translate into real savings.
Explore the Grundfos brand offer and choose products that match your heating system. If you have any questions, please contact us by phone!