Grundfos UPS2 15-50/60 Boiler & Heating Pump Review

In this review, we’ll cover all the features of the Grundfos UPS2 15-50/60 central heating pump and tell you where to find these pumps cheap, both offline and online.

If you are replacing a central heating pump, there’s a good chance the pump is noisy or you’ve traced boiler leak back to the pump’s blown seals.

These issues are common on heating pumps with multiple speed settings. If they’re left on the maximum flow setting when they don’t need to be, the pressure can blow the seals and the boiler will start to leak.

Grundfos UPS2 Heating Circulator Pump Review

Nowadays, high quality new boilers are usually fitted with a variant of the Grundfos heating circulator pump. As a testament to their durability, many of the Grundfos pumps we replace are 15-20 years old. Even these older pumps often malfunction because of issues that are simple enough to repair, such as the blown seals mentioned.

However, Grundfos pumps weren’t always the standard; many older boilers are fitted with inferior Wilo pumps. Common examples include the Wilo Gold 50 RS and the 60 RS. Unfortunately, Wilo heating pumps became known for being particularly unreliable, and are a frequent source of boiler trouble.

Before we begin — if you are unsure whether your central heating pump is to blame for your heating issues, have a quick read of our article on central heating pump problems.

Grundfos UPS2 Replacement Seals

Grundfos provide a set of new seals with each of the new pumps they supply. If seals are the issue, Grundfos have got you covered.

Suitable Applications for the Grundfos UPS2 15-50/60 Pump

Since they have an identical cable gland, Grundfos UPS2 15 50/60 pumps can be used to replace the older Grundfos UPS15 50 and UPS15 60 variants. And, typically, the Grundfos UPS2 range is suitable for small-to-medium domestic central heating systems. That said, Grundfos also offer a range of larger and more technologically advanced pumps for larger more complex heating systems.

The great thing about the UPS2 range is that it’s been rigorously tested to ensure it meets ErP standards, and its commutated motor technology means the Grundfos UPS2 pumps are highly energy efficient.

If you’re unsure about choosing the correct heating circulator pump for your system, speak to a Gas Safe engineer. They’ll be able to recommend a pump model based on your heating system type, age, and setup.

Replacement Pump vs. Replacement Pump Head

If the boiler pump simply needs a new pump head, you can opt for Grundfos’ replacement pump head option. However, if the pump is over 5 years old, it usually makes sense to replace the whole unit; a new Grundfos UPS2 15-50/60 can be purchased for less than £100.

Understanding the Grundfos Pump Settings

Grundfos allow users to quickly adjust speed control settings on their pumps. Naturally, the lowest setting, 1, is the most energy-efficient. The highest, 3, will provide the highest flow rate whilst using more energy and put more pressure on the pump.

Smaller properties with less than 10 radiators, or central heating systems using microbore pipe (8mm and 10mm copper), can typically get away with running their Grundfos UPS2 heating circulator pump on setting 1. In fact, any higher than this, there may be enough back pressure to blow the pump. We’ve seen pumps as young as 6 months old blow their seals simply because the wrong speed setting was selected on the pump.

The 2 faster flow rates allow those with larger properties (and larger runs of copper pipe) to ensure their radiators heat quickly and reach full temperature.

It’s always best to speak with a Gas Safe heating engineer to establish the best flow rate for your boiler pump.

UPS2 15-50/60 Pump Product Features

One of the best features incorporated into the UPS2 is the vent screw, which allows users to quickly bleed air out of a system. Air that’s trapped in a heating system can cause all kinds of problems, including radiators not getting hot, towel rails not functioning, and in the worst case, boilers locking out.

Alongside the bleed screw, Grundfos UPS2 also has a control box you can mount to the right, left, or on top of the pump.

What’s more, Grundfos have attached a 5-year warranty to their UPS2 pump. It’s unlikely that anything will go wrong in such a short period of time, but if it does, you can rest assured that a replacement is ready and waiting. Simply contact a Gas Safe engineer (or even Grundfos customer services), they’ll note the broken part number and do their best to get a new one fitted quickly.

Where to Get Cheap Grundfos Pumps?

If you have a local independent plumbing merchant nearby, it’s certainly worth checking out. At time of writing, a replacement pump should be around £100 inc VAT, although prices do change regularly.

However, if you’d prefer clicking “add to basket” and having the pump show up at your door instead of physically going to a plumbing merchant, Amazon is a great place to look for the Grundfos UPS2 15 50/60.

Check price on Amazon

Got an old boiler that’s malfunctioning often and lacks warranty coverage or a boiler cover plan?

If you’re thinking about replacing your tired old boiler with a new one, we’d recommend you check out Heatable. They’re an online boiler installation company with fantastic deals from the likes of Worcester Bosch and Viessmann. You can fill out their quick, anonymous form and get a range of fixed price boiler quotes on your screen in minutes.

UPS2 Heating Pump: VERDICT

Whenever the UPS2 15-50/60 is the correct heating pump for a boiler, we recommend using it. And although Grundfos are a leading brand, they are not particularly expensive.

What’s more, the warranty is solid, at 5-years. And, the fact many faulty pumps we remove are over 15 years old really shows that the Grundfos brand is reliable.

Grundfos UPS2 Pump FAQs

Below, we’ll answer some questions users commonly have about Grundfos pumps.

What does 15 50 mean on a Grundfos pump?

The first number, in this case, 15, refers to the pump’s inlet and outlet ports’ dimensions in milimetres. The second number, 50, depicts the pump’s head — or its ability to push water upwards — in decimetres. You can usually find what these numbers represent, along with other vital product information, in the pump’s manual:

What’s the difference between 15 50 and 15 60 on a Grundfos?

The difference between 15 50 and 15 60 on a pump is the “maximum head/vertical lift,” or the pump’s capability to pump heating water upwards. 15 50 means a maximum head of 5 metres, whilst the 15 60 translates to 6 metres. In simple terms, this means that 15 60 is a bit more powerful. With the Grundfos UPS2 15 50/60, you can replace pumps with a maximum head of 5 or 6 metres.

Are Grundfos pumps any good?

Yes — Grundfos pumps are known to be both highly efficient and reliable. These pumps meet the ErP standards, and can last over a decade thanks to their durable build and cast-iron components.

How long should my Grundfos pump last?

Typically, you can expect a Grundfos pump to last at least 10 years or longer. In fact, the Grundfos pumps we typically replace are usually around 15 years old. That said, using incorrect speed settings could cause the pump to wear out much faster, and lead to blown seals.

What’s Next?

Thanks for reading our Grundfos UPS2 pump review. Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information to make an informed buying decision.

If there’s anything we missed, or if you’d like to share your experience with a Grundfos pump (or any other brand), please leave us a comment below.