Hot Water Re-circulation System?

I don't mind waiting for hot water, but I don't let the run-up go to waste. I have a five gallon bucket that I throw in the shower to collect the colder stuff. This water goes to water my plants, mix-up car wash soap, in the filtration tank for coffee water, fill the hot tub etc. I really don't like to waste water if I can help it. Re-circ sounds like a problem waiting to happen.
 
I don’t have it in my home but in-laws do in theirs. It’s really nice although I don’t think necessary in Florida as the water in their pipes is never very cold.

They have a Grundfos pump mounted on the top of the water heater. I’m sure it costs a little more in electric when heating the pipe continuously but not enough to notice. I’d do it if I were you.
 
I have a two story home with traditional tank heater in the basement. The second floor bath does take a little extra time to get hot...but not enough for me to be concerned about, as my water/gas usage is minimal. I just looked at my gas usage during the summer months (no space heating)...family of 5...hot water, clothes dryer, and stove...average 30 cents a day.
Nope wouldn't concern myself with recirculating hot water. Also those that talk about that unlimited hot water, I'm not filling a 100 gallon jacuzzi, nor do I need my kids spending the afternoon in the shower.
 
SC Maintenance said:
I am shocked with all the energy star stuff they haven't outlawed tank hot water heaters on new construction - they save a lot of energy to go tankless.
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Assuming tankless is about $1K more (parts+install) vs tank, it would take me over 25 years to recover the higher initial cost of a tankless heater, and I'm not sure either heater would actually last that long.

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My in-laws installed one when they built their house 18 years ago, it's still going strong. They have theirs on a timer so that it doesn't run all night. One thing they installed that failed after less than 10 years, was an undermount hot water tank for instant hot water.
 
Quattro Pete said:
Assuming tankless is about $1K more (parts+install) vs tank, it would take me over 25 years to recover the higher initial cost of a tankless heater, and I'm not sure either heater would actually last that long.

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There $800 at HOme Depot currently, for a normal size house. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rinnai-...6655590?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&gQT=1

Also, 0.95 cents per therm is ridiculously cheap - if your getting that be thankful. US average is about $1.50 currently.

Only 50 gallons a day?

Anyway, to each there own. I'll never go back.
 
Our house built in 2018 has it, all houses in this development do. Wouldn't be without it. Hot water within 5 seconds (just timed it) at any faucet in the house. The water heater is in the garage and the kitchen is as far away as it could be so you'd run water for a while to get hot. I've run it with a timer and without and can't tell a difference in the gas bill or electric bill. The house is on slab and all the pex plumbing is below and the loop was insulated when it was put in. The pump is Taco brand and seems fine after almost 7 years with no maintenance required. There's nothing to maintain, if/when the pump goes you replace it. Highly recommend from someone who has it.
 
SC Maintenance said:
Unlimited hot water when you want it, not paying to keep it hot when you don't. I am shocked with all the energy star stuff they haven't outlawed tank hot water heaters on new construction - they save a lot of energy to go tankless.
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Tanked is more efficient in low use homes, actually. You'd think it would be the opposite but no. The secret is how thermally insulated the tanks are and how economical a partial therm is. Especially on electric water heaters due to the two element design. Ours keeps hot water for days without power.
 
SC Maintenance said:
I am shocked with all the energy star stuff they haven't outlawed tank hot water heaters on new construction - they save a lot of energy to go tankless.
Click to expand...
Here the minerals in the water kill a tankless in about 5 years. Yes you can descale it once a year or whatever with vinegar and a 5 gallon bucket and a pump and tubing but normal installation under sinks is a pita. If not handy you hire a plumber for a couple of hundred once a year. Or you install a softener system. Not economical. Govmint outlaws tank water heaters it better be ready to replace tankless heaters.
 
I highly recommend a Grundfos pump with a built-in timer. I have one in two homes. Mine are set up with traditional electric hot water systems. First pump I had installed was a no name brand made in Hungary. It lasted only five years. The German-made Grundfos pumps are better constructed and are maintenance free. If you don't mind the additional cost of electricity, you'll wonder why you waited so long. And don't forget what you pay more in kilowatts, you save in water used.
 
NormanBuntz said:
And don't forget what you pay more in kilowatts, you save in water used.
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That equation is a bit different for me as I'm on well water. Maybe the well pump has to run less, and less water is being ran through the softening system and later dumped into septic tank, so that still has some benefit, but I don't think it's going to fully offset the higher electric bill caused by the recirc pump.
 
Im at the parents house this week and they have a tankless with a recirculator and it's pretty awesome. It took them a while to get the plumbing right, but its dial din now. Im pretty sure they have a Taco recirculating pump. They put what looks like sliced pool noodles along the delivery lines to insulate them.

Before this the washing machine never did get hot water in the winter.

We have a tankless without a recirc, and it's a long slog on a cold day to get water across the house.

Water isn't cheap or disposable in cali especially when you have to pump it, filter it, PH correct it, soften it, then carbon filter it, then heat it, then pump it again from a Xfer tank uphill to to the treatment plant.
 
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Quattro Pete said:
That equation is a bit different for me as I'm on well water. Maybe the well pump has to run less, and less water is being ran through the softening system and later dumped into septic tank, so that still has some benefit, but I don't think it's going to fully offset the higher electric bill caused by the recirc pump.
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Yup. A guy on city water has different metrics than a guy on a well.

The other thing is almost no one in the US has a washing machine that has an internal heater.

If your wash water never gets warm much less hot it cuts down on your ability to get greasy/ oily clothes clean.
 
A lot of front loaders and a few top loaders do have a heater or did when I retired 5 yrs ago. Whirlpool built and LG come to mind.
It was used in the Sanitize cycles to boost hot water temps. Mostly in the higher end models with the most features.
 
repairman54 said:
A lot of front loaders and a few top loaders do have a heater or did when I retired 5 yrs ago. Whirlpool built and LG come to mind.
It was used in the Sanitize cycles to boost hot water temps. Mostly in the higher end models with the most features.
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Last I looked about 1 in 20 available have an internal heater.

Then if one has it when does it work?

Most US machines that do have one, work like you say - during sanitize which means in the winter cold, warm, and hot, are all cold.

My mieles allow you to set the temp for each load across a wide range.
 
I wouldn’t want the traditional exhaust pipe through the roof for a water heater on a new build.There are different exhaust options on gas water heaters. I assume if a gas furnace is installed it’s a 90+ which won’t be vented through the roof.
 
skyactiv said:
I wouldn’t want the traditional exhaust pipe through the roof for a water heater on a new build.There are different exhaust options on gas water heaters. I assume if a gas furnace is installed it’s a 90+ which won’t be vented through the roof.
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My gas furnace in the attic vents through the roof - 2014 build. Not saying its the right way, but my neighbors seem to be the same.

The tankless water heater in the garage vents through the wall - as does the direct vent gas fireplace - well its kind of outside.
 
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