B&G ecocirc, ecocirc+ and ecocirc XL: Choosing the Right Smart Circulator

Bell & Gossett sells three smart circulators under nearly the same name: ecocirc, ecocirc+, and ecocirc XL. They share the same core idea, a variable-speed ECM motor that follows system demand, but they're built for different jobs. Picking the wrong one means either paying for features you won't use or running a residential-class pump where a commercial system needs more.

The Common Thread

All three use a permanent magnet ECM motor and a wet-rotor design, and they adjust speed to match what the system is asking for instead of running flat out. B&G cites energy savings of up to 80 percent compared with traditional multi-speed circulators. That's a manufacturer figure, and the actual savings depend on how much of the year your system spends at partial load.

ecocirc: The Simple One

The base ecocirc 20-18 is aimed at residential and light commercial systems. It keeps the controls simple: a dial for the speed curve, a choice between proportional pressure (suited to systems with thermostatic radiator valves) and constant pressure (suited to radiant floor loops), and a multicolor LED for status. Two features worth noting are the built-in dry-run protection, which B&G calls CircGuard, and a one-button air purge for clearing trapped air at startup.

ecocirc+: Same Size, More Control

The ecocirc+ 20-18 is the same class of pump with a display on the control head and Bluetooth built in. You can set it up, check performance, and read diagnostics from a phone or tablet. It adds a constant-speed mode and an automated night setback on top of the pressure modes. The 70 watt motor runs on 115 volts, single phase. If you commission pumps often or want to see what a pump is actually doing without a manometer and a guess, this is the version that gives you that.

ecocirc XL: The Commercial Line

The XL series moves into larger systems, with motors from 1/12 HP on the 20-35, to 1/2 HP on the 55-45, to 1 HP on the 65-130, which runs across a 1100 to 3550 RPM range. The XL adds what a commercial building usually needs:

• Building automation communication. MODBUS and BACnet are built in, so the pump can report to the building management system.
• Condensation protection. The electronics are isolated so the pump can run on chilled water loops down to 14 degrees F.
• Four-button display with the same pressure and speed modes, plus night setback.
• Flanged connections that take standard companion flanges in 1, 1-1/4, or 1-1/2 inch NPT, with the flanges sold separately.

One Limit That Applies to All the Cast Iron Models

The cast iron ecocirc models in our catalog are rated for closed-loop hydronic heating, radiant, snowmelt, and chilled water. They are not rated for open-loop domestic potable water. If you're recirculating drinking water, you need a model built for it, so don't treat the pumps as interchangeable just because the casing looks similar.

How to Choose

• Small zone, no automation: the base ecocirc.
• Small zone, you want visibility and phone setup: ecocirc+.
• Larger commercial loop, or a building that needs BACnet or MODBUS: an ecocirc XL sized to the duty point.

Whichever you choose, the size still comes from flow and head, not from the name. Our circulator sizing guide walks through the numbers, and if you're weighing this against a Grundfos option, our MAGNA3 guide covers the competing line. For the whole B&G pump range, see our product line guide.

National Boiler Supply carries the Bell & Gossett ecocirc line. Send us your flow and head requirements and we'll help you pick the right size.