The Wilo and Grundfos smart pumps share two important features. First, they have integrated variable-frequency drives (VFDs) to modulate the pump speed or flow rate. They use a very clever technology to set that flow rate—analyzing their own rotational speed and current draw and, from this, computing where the pump is on its “pump curve” and optimizing pump speed accordingly. For larger pumps, separate VFDs have often been added; the revolution here is that the VFD is directly integrated into the pump and that it’s available for smaller pumps.

Second, these pumps have permanently charged, electronically commutated motors (ECMs) that reduce energy use by about 50%