What is a Circulator Pump?

A circulator pump, also referred to as a circulating pump, is a specialised pump designed for circulating gases, liquids, or slurries within a closed circuit. These pumps are commonly used to circulate water in hydronic heating or cooling systems. Since they operate within a closed circuit, their primary challenge is overcoming the friction within the piping system rather than lifting a fluid from a lower potential energy point to a higher one.

In hydronic systems, circulator pumps are typically electrically powered centrifugal pumps. In residential settings, they are often compact, sealed, and have a rating at a fraction of a horsepower. On the other hand, in commercial applications, circulator pumps vary in size, reaching high horsepower, and the electric motor is usually mechanically coupled to the pump body.