#specs&tech

Quantity usually doesn't coexist with quality, but Grundfos Circulation Pumps are an exception to the rule. Here we'll go over the basics of the brand. For more information, visit out blog at www.pexuniverse.com/blog. There are many varieties of Grundfos circulating pumps in a variety of different materials. For oxidized systems, for example, you might want to stay away from the cast iron models. For closed systems, or loop systems, the best Grundfos recirculating pump would be the cast iron, as it is hardier and can withstand higher temperatures.

The Grundfos Alpha 15-55F/LC Circulator pump has a variable speed with a built in check valve and line cord. It's energy efficient and can lower power consumption by up to 50%. It can go from temperatures 230 degrees F to 36 degrees F, and has a flow range of 0-21 gallons per minute (GPM).

There is also the Grundfos Comfort System. It has a bypass valve and timer that eliminates the wait for cold water to clear from a tap and hot water to fill the tap.

The Grundfos Magna Pump uses the most advanced technology with a cast iron variable speed circulator pump and a hot water recirculation system. These are really popular Grundfos hot water recirculating pumps, because they can adjust to your heating system. The factory installation settings and AUTOADAPT allow the pump and its sensors to measure and adjust to the consumption and type of heating system it has been added into.

Valves manually regulate the flow of water in a plumbing system. It's a convenient way of keeping parts of the system functioning even if another part breaks down, allowing the water to bypass the damaged part. And in a system that's more easily repairable - such as PEX - in this type of piping more valves are needed. The two types of PEX valve for this purpose are PEX Ball Valves and PEX Stop Valves. The two types of PEX valves are usually ""quarter-turn valves," or valves that a quarter turn of their handle will cause to stem or allow the flow.

PEX Stop Valves are usually installed near a sink or a toilet to connect the supply line to the fixture. They are made of a PEX (inlet) to OD compression (outlet) set of fixtures, and angle or straight. The angle turns ninety degrees, while the straight runs parallel. The PEX inlet and outlet options are all 1/2” PEX, and the OD compression outlets remain at 3/8”. All are lead free.

PEX Ball Valves contain a globule or sphere hollowed through the center by a hole bored through. Its open position is when it's parallel to the two lines; perpendicular (1/4 turn), it shuts off entirely. Because of the spherical stopper, these ball valves can resist higher pressures and temperatures than basic gates or stops.

It is available in two types:

1. PEX Ball Valves (PEX x PEX), which connects a PEX pipe to another PEX pipe.

2. PEX to Copper Ball Valves (PEX x C) which connects a PEX pipe to a copper pipe.