--- title: How HVAC Circulators Move Water description: Centrifugal pumps used in HVAC systems circulate water. This blog describes basic information about how pumps move water through an HVAC system. image: https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hubfs/Blog_images/Screen_Shot_2015-11-20_at_4.06.48_PM.png --- [![HTS_Logo_RGB_and_White](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HTS_Logo_RGB_and_White.png?width=270&height=81&name=HTS_Logo_RGB_and_White.png "HTS_Logo_RGB_and_White")](http://www.heattransfersales.com) - [Home](https://heattransfersales.com/) - [Products](https://heattransfersales.com/products) - [Manufacturers Represented](https://heattransfersales.com/products) - [Packaged Systems](https://heattransfersales.com/products) - [Customer Service](https://heattransfersales.com/customer-service) - [Parts](https://heattransfersales.com/parts) - [Pump Repair](https://heattransfersales.com/pump-repair) - [Service](https://heattransfersales.com/service) - [Pump'nFlo](https://heattransfersales.com/pump-nflo) - [Resources](https://heattransfersales.com/resources) - [Training](https://heattransfersales.com/training) - [Sustainable System Concepts](https://heattransfersales.com/sustainable-system-concepts) - [Airside HVAC](https://heattransfersales.com/hvac-equipment) - [Plumbing Equipment](https://heattransfersales.com/plumbing-equipment) - [Building Automation](https://heattransfersales.com/building-automation) - [Blog](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog) - [Careers](https://heattransfersales.com/careers) - [About Us](https://heattransfersales.com/about-us) - [History](https://heattransfersales.com/history) - [Privacy Policy](https://324b4bc7-5729-4ace-b8c0-bc77b425b76e.filesusr.com/ugd/ff46b9_f6100e8b535d465f9fb060f60f8049cc.pdf) - [Terms of Use](https://324b4bc7-5729-4ace-b8c0-bc77b425b76e.filesusr.com/ugd/ff46b9_8a108a4c73734c8ca00866bdecf7cb60.pdf) - [Contact](https://heattransfersales.com/contact) ### Topics - Select a Topic ### Stay up to date SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG ### Stay up to date [Pumps](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/topic/pumps) # How HVAC Circulators Move Water ![Picture of Joe Britt, PE](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hubfs/Blog_images/Joe_Britt_blog_avatar.jpg) By [Joe Britt, PE](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/author/joe-britt-pe) on January, 9 2017 [mailto:?body=https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/how-hvac-circulators-move-water-1](mailto:?body=https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/how-hvac-circulators-move-water-1) ![TACO pumps](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hubfs/Blog_images/Screen_Shot_2015-11-20_at_4.06.48_PM.png) ![TACO pumps](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Screen_Shot_2015-11-20_at_4.06.48_PM.png?width=200&name=Screen_Shot_2015-11-20_at_4.06.48_PM.png "TACO pumps")Centrifugal pumps used in HVAC systems circulate water. We know this; it is their purpose, it’s what they do. **Ever really think about *how* it does this?** Let’s start by pointing out the obvious – **there is a motor.** The motor uses electricity to rotate the shaft that rotates the pump *impeller*. The impeller, typically made of bronze or stainless steel, is shaped like a wheel. This wheel contains enclosed vanes that *sling* the water. (Imagine a tennis backhand swing.) So, an impeller slings water, while a *propeller* pushes water. (Imagine a boat motor.) As the impeller spins, it creates a *pressure differential* between the center, or eye – where the water enters the impeller, and the outer edge of the wheel. That pressure differential is the force that moves the water. In other words, the pump is creating a low pressure point at its inlet and a high pressure point at its discharge. Water naturally moves from a state of high pressure to low pressure. In order for the highest pressure water at the pump discharge to get to the lowest pressure point at the pump suction, it MUST travel through the piping system. Hence, the water is *circulated*. And those are the [basics!](http://heattransfersales.com/hydronics-101/)  Pop quiz later...     *Check out more of our pump information by clicking on the button below:* [![Sensorless VFD Pump](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/715354/f8fac401-884d-4ff5-a049-d0fb72e3cb3f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/715354/f8fac401-884d-4ff5-a049-d0fb72e3cb3f) ###### About The Author [More from this author](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/author/joe-britt-pe) ![](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/Joe_Britt_blog_avatar.jpg?height=100&name=Joe_Britt_blog_avatar.jpg) ###### Joe Britt, PE Joe Britt, PE is the President of Heat Transfer Sales and interested in educating everyone about hydronic systems. #### Recommended Articles [![Taco Comfort Solutions: The Ideal Pressure Boosting Solution](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/hubfs/Taco%20Comfort%20Solutions%20The%20Ideal%20Pressure%20Boosting%20Solution%20.png)](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/taco-comfort-solutions-the-ideal-pressure-boosting-solution) ###### [Taco Comfort Solutions: The Ideal Pressure Boosting Solution](https://blogs.heattransfersales.com/blog/taco-comfort-solutions-the-ideal-pressure-boosting-solution) - 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