top of page

Recent Posts

Archive

Tags

The Pressure to Perform: Pump Systems in 2025

  • katherinefuad
  • Jun 30
  • 3 min read

The pump industry is changing fast and innovative engineering is at the heart of it. Whether you’re maintaining systems, overseeing projects, or managing commercial estates, you’ll already know the pressure is on to do more with less: less energy, less downtime, less waste.


The good news? Innovation is catching up to the challenge. From energy-efficient motors to intelligent controls, a new generation of technology is helping engineers hit performance and sustainability targets—without ripping out and replacing entire systems.


Here’s a look at what’s driving change, and the practical upgrades making a real impact on site.


pumps

Energy Usage


Pumps account for around 10% of global electricity consumption. That’s why small improvements to pump systems can unlock big gains, especially as energy costs soar and regulations tighten.


With the push towards net-zero emissions, pump systems are a major focus area. Because of this, we're starting to see client decisions being shaped by operational cost over time, and not just upfront spend.


Smarter Motors

One of the easiest ways to reduce energy use is to upgrade your motor.

  • IE4 motors (super premium efficiency) are now required by EU legislation for certain applications, with IE5 motors on the rise.

  • Compared to IE3 motors, IE4s can reduce energy losses by up to 40%. That jumps to 50% versus IE2s.

  • They also run cooler, reducing thermal stress and wear—so you get better longevity as well as performance.


And no, you don’t need a brand-new pump system to install one. We retrofit motors providing the pump itself is in reasonable condition - this can be a quick win with short payback periods. Need help calculating this? Speak to our Account Management Team.


Variable Speed Drives


inverter

If you haven’t revisited your variable speed drive (VSD) strategy in a while, now’s the time. Old-school systems run at a fixed speed—regardless of what’s needed.


VSDs bring multiple benefits:

  • Savings of up to 80% compared to fixed-speed systems

  • Less wear and tear on pumps and motors

  • Extended equipment lifespan

  • Reduced maintenance and downtime


And beyond speed, VSDs offer features like:

  • Pressure and flow control

  • Temperature response

  • Built-in clocks and timers

  • Pre-programmed macros and communication protocols


Our advice? If you’ve already got a VSD, make sure you’re using it fully. And if you don’t, it’s a strong contender for retrofit.


Remote Monitoring & Intelligent Pump Control


Telemetrix

As buildings get more complex, the ability to monitor and manage pumps remotely is becoming a game-changer.


Modern control panels and booster set systems can:

  • Show live system performance anywhere in the world

  • Flag issues before they become failures and send notifications to teams

  • Allow engineers to adjust setpoints or duty cycles from their desk


We’re now seeing more investment in remote monitoring tech, particularly in leisure centres, multi-site estates, and critical systems like flood protection or heating networks. Check out Telemetrix by G&G Controls - this wastewater pump control panel offers integrate remote monitoring, with no subscription, multiple connectivity options (including WiFi, SIM and Ethernet). Visit: https://www.gandgcontrols.co.uk/telemetrix


What’s Driving It All?


Here’s what’s we're seeing push pump upgrades up the priority list:


  • Energy savings and carbon targets: ESG and net-zero goals are now front and centre, not an afterthought

  • Rising costs: Electricity is expensive. Pump inefficiency is an obvious place to cut wastage.

  • Equipment resilience: Reducing single points of failure is now a design standard, not a bonus.

  • Regulatory pressure: EU Eco-design and UK net-zero legislation is closing the window on outdated setups.


The pump industry is in the middle of a meaningful shift. It’s not about shiny new tech—it’s about how we use it. For engineers, the challenge is to champion the tools that make pump systems cleaner, leaner and more resilient—whether that’s a retrofit VSD, a smarter motor, or remote diagnostics.

Want to dig into where your site could be saving energy and money? We offer free site surveys and system assessments—no strings attached. Our team will give you an honest view of where your current setup stands, and what tech could take it further.


Get in touch

Related Reading


If you enjoyed this article, you'll love:

bottom of page