Optimising Your Pumps

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your Centrifugal Pump

When investing in a centrifugal pump, it’s easy to focus on the upfront cost, but not think about the long term running of the pump.  What if the real savings don’t come from the purchase price at all, but in what you can save over the years of running it?

For most businesses, the true cost of a pump lies in its lifetime energy consumption.

That’s where smart optimisation, specifically through the use of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), will make a significant difference.

Why Speed Matters

Centrifugal pumps don’t always need to run at full speed. In fact, doing so can lead to unnecessary energy use and higher operating costs.

A simple adjustment can have a powerful impact:

Reduce pump speed by just 20%, and energy consumption can drop by up to 49%.

This is because of the affinity laws, where even small reductions in speed, result in disproportionately large energy savings.

In short:

• Slower speed = lower energy consumption
• Lower energy consumption = reduced costs
• Reduced costs = long-term operational efficiency

Thinking Beyond the Pump

Optimising performance isn’t just about the pump itself, it’s about the entire centrifugal pump system.

From system design and installation to operation and maintenance, every element plays a role in its efficiency. Businesses that take a holistic view of their pumping systems often uncover significant opportunities, including:

• Reducing energy usage
• Improving system performance
• Extending equipment lifespan
• Lowering overall operating costs

Ways to Improve Pump Efficiency

Improving centrifugal pump performance isn’t necessarily about one single change, it requires a system-wide approach, with the goal of operating as close as possible to the pump’s Best Efficiency Point (BEP).

Running near BEP helps to minimise energy consumption, reduce vibration, and extend component life, with energy savings of 10–60% achievable when the right strategies are implemented.

• Pump Size
  Pumps are often oversized by 20–30%, forcing them to operate inefficiently. Selecting equipment based on actual system demand, rather than peak estimates, is critical.
• Use Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
  Adjusting pump speed to match real-time demand is one of the most effective ways to cut energy usage, removing the need for throttling.
• Optimise the impeller
  Trimming or upgrading impellers can better align pump performance with current system requirements, particularly in older or oversized setups.
• Review system design
  Improving pipework layout to reduce friction losses, or using multiple pumps in parallel for variable demand, can significantly increase efficiency.
• Adopt proactive maintenance
  Condition-based monitoring, alignment checks, and maintaining correct clearances all help prevent energy losses and avoid costly downtime.

Spot inefficiencies early:

Look out for constantly throttled valves, excessive recirculation, or increased vibration and noise, all signs your system may be operating away from its optimal point.

By implementing these measures, businesses can reduce energy waste, minimise wear and tear, and lower the hidden costs associated with inefficient pump operation.

How Apex Pumps Can Help

At Apex Pumps, we don’t just supply equipment, we can also help you get the very best from it.

We can support you at every stage!  Starting with system assessment, right through to optimisation.

Our in-house expertise allows us to assess pump performance as part of a wider, ongoing system, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary energy consumption. With advanced knowledge of pump optimisation methods and system analysis, we can support you in making informed, cost-effective decisions.

The goal is simple: Save water. Save energy. Save money.

If you’re unsure whether your current system is running as efficiently as it could be, now is the time to find out.

Get in touch with the Apex Pumps team to discover how small changes, like optimising pump speed, can deliver big results.