Hot Water Recirculation Systems
Hot Water Recirculation Systems can solve the problem of a large home or commercial building with long stretches of plumbing pipes. A hot water recirculation system ensures there is always hot water flowing in the pipes. With a traditional storage tank hot water heater, when hot water is not being used, the water cools off as it sits in the tank. When the hot water is turned on, the water heater must work to heat that cool water, potentially making you wait until the water reaches the desired temperature. A hot water re-circulator pushes hot water continuously into the plumbing system by way of a bypass valve that opens and closes to regulate the temperature of the water.
“Traditional” hot water recirculation systems have a dedicated return line for the hot water pipes that go from the furthest plumbing fixture in the building, then back to the water heater. Instant hot water recirculation systems don’t require a dedicated line to loop hot water and can be installed in any type of property.
There are three types of instant hot water recirculation systems:
- An over-the-water-heater unit locates the pump above the water heater, with a check valve under the sink The function of the pump is to pressurize the hot side of the system, sending hot water through the valve, pushing the hot water into the cold side of the unit, creating a loop.
- An under-the-sink model is installed under the sink and works in a similar manner to the over-the-water-heater unit, pushing hot water through the cold side of the system.
- An on-demand water recirculation system generates hot water at preset timed intervals rather than running hot water constantly through the system. The pump for an on-demand water recirculation system must be activated when hot water is desired.