Two-way valves reduce the amount of water pumped, which saves energy. Used in conjunction with AutoFlow regulators, even less water is pumped, saving even more energy.
Typical Direct Return System
The system below has ten coils – all balanced with AutoFlow. Assume that each coil is equipped with a ten GPM AutoFlow valve. The system’s total flow will be 100 GPM.
Now, assume that the system is at 50 percent load with five of the two-way valves closed. Immediately, the pump will back up the curve and will deliver 50 GPM. The remaining five open circuits do not overflow, even though the head pressure increases.
With manual balancing valves instead of AutoFlow, the open circuits will overflow. The amount of overflow depends on the pump curve, but it can be 20-50 percent more than the AutoFlow balanced system.
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Overflow Wastes Energy
The typical pump curve below shows how energy can be saved by preventing overflow on two-way valve systems! At 50 percent load, the manually balanced system can overflow by 20-50 percent. AutoFlow regulators prevent this overflow and provide a true variable volume water system which can save 10-20 percent of the BHP for the life of the building.