2011 M 88
SUPPLIER PROFILES
Grundfos Pumps unveils New Generation of Circulators, With Power-Consumption Savings of up to 80%
aking its North American debut, ALPHA™ is an energy-optimized, 115-volt circulator featuring a permanent magnet motor design
that will cut power consumption by a minimum of 50%, as compared with other circulators in its class. Designed for hydronic heating applications in residential and light- commercial applications, the compact ALPHA is equipped with the unique Grundfos AutoAdapt™function that automatically modulates circulator performance to match ever-changing system demand. “By continuously fine-tuning power consumption
and flow rates to meet the dynamic needs of the system, ALPHA saves both energy and money,” says Bob Reinmund, senior product specialist for Grundfos. “In live field tests, independent contractors have experienced power savings up to 80% over conventional pumps.” Breakthrough motor design: First
used by Grundfos in Europe, the electronically controlled motor features a magnetized rotor, thus avoiding motor-slippage problems common to induction-type motors. The result is a dramatically more efficient motor that generates less heat and energy waste, while delivering a starting torque four times higher than a standard induction motor. No more
oversized retrofits: Identifying the specific, ever-
changing needs of a home
heating system is challenging for installers, particularly in retrofit applications. Contractors often find it difficult to select the right pump and program it with the correct settings. “If the installer is not familiar with piping layout, he may decide the best way to avoid a callback is simply to oversize the pumps,” says Reinmund. “ALPHA addresses this oversizing tendency.” With ALPHA, the installer now has the option of
activating the AutoAdapt function. “The circulator will automatically find the lowest possible operating- efficiency point to meet changing system demand,” continues Reinmund. “Then it will continuously adjust
e Circle 50 on reader reply card
that setting to achieve optimal comfort at minimal power consumption. The pump can operate with an input as low as five watts, as compared with a minimum of 80 watts for a conventional circulator of comparable size.” Compact design = easy installation: ALPHA is
currently the most compact circulator offered by Grundfos. Its sophisticated electronics are fully integrated within the motor. The resulting streamlined design simplifies installation in even the tightest spaces. The easy-to-read LED (light-emitting diode) display in the ALPHA offers a range of unique, user-friendly features for monitoring the system: • A large, real-time display indicates energy
consumption (Watts). • This same display will toggle every four seconds
between power consumption and the flow indicator, showing the relative estimated flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). • A one-touch, button-type interface permits the user to toggle quickly and easily among three fixed speeds, three levels of constant pressure, and the AutoAdapt setting. Made for America: Developed in Europe nearly a decade ago, the
ALPHA is a proven technology. But rather than assuming that the ALPHA would work equally well in North America without modification, Grundfos has tested the product over the past two years in approximately 200 residential installations across the United States and Canada, including
many of the installers’ own homes. Feedback from these
contractors has led to important adjustments in the hydraulic design of the ALPHA “to better match the specific
requirements of the North American
market,” says Reinmund. “As is our custom with a
new product, we took two full heating seasons to be certain it would perform as well here as it has in Europe,” he continues. “Our objective is to verify the ALPHA as a stable pumping platform for the North American market for many years to come.” ;
For more information on ALPHA, visit
poweredby.grundfos.com
phc may 2011
www.phcnews.com
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