Hot Water Re-circulation System?

[Quattro Pete]

In the process of building a home, the builder is proposing to install hot water recirculation system, as an option. Is this something worth having or is it just another potential headache down the road?

I understand the main benefit is not having to wait a long time for hot water to start flowing from a faucet, especially if said faucet is far away from the water heater, and that will be the case here - water heater in the basement, and faucets on 2nd floor.

But from what I'm reading, this will increase my energy bill, and it requires maintenance.

Thoughts?

 

[b_b]

kiss method. you can wait a few more seconds for hot water.

 

[circuitsmith]

The circulating pump will have a finite life, and the always-hot pipes will lose energy.
These issues can be partly mitigated by putting the pump on a timer, so it's not going all night and day.
Even better would be a momentary switch at each remote outlet to activate the pump for a minute or so.

 

[Leo99]

Depends on how much you value the convenience. I've thought about installing such a system many times while getting impatient in the winter and washing my hands in cold water.

 

[Fitter30]

There are two types one uses a dedicated line a small pump 10-20 watts can have it on a timer. The other is mounted on the top of heater and at the far sink a special valve mount under a sink that ties the hot and cold lines together and takes the hot water flows into the cold till the valve sees the hot water and shuts off. Pump also on a timer. Which ever the hot line line and recir lines should be insulated. Could also use Alexa for timing.
.0132 1/2" copper volume Per linear ft gallon
.0269 3/4" copper volume

https://www.cooneybrothers.com/user...DqcjLJAtoG92w3264IE8SsvVGUdTzK4kXYdCbJXdYZunL

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Grundfo...rt-Hot-Water-Recirculation-Pump-3-4-NPT-115-V

 

[Jango]

I had it on my house and liked it. Builder recommended it rather than having second water heater next to hall bath. It was a Taco brand that ran constantly but I used a wall timer to turn it on off to meet my schedule when I was working. This set up works good for new construction.

I replaced it with a Grundfos comfort system that uses a pump coming off the top of the water heater and valves you install under the sinks. This system can be used on existing homes. The valve allows cold water in the hot water line to flow through and into the cold water line until the valve closes shut when a certain temperature is reached. This works good until the valve quits working and stays closed (which happened to one of mine). You can buy replacement valves for about $70.

If you don't have a set schedule where you want hot water instantly at a specific time, I wouldn't bother with it.

 

[CarLuver]

depends on where you water heater is and how long the run is to the farthest fixture. if your WH is at one end of the house and your shower is are the other, its going to take a while for the hot water to get there. in this situation a recirc system would work well

 

[Danno]

depends on where you water heater is and how long the run is to the farthest fixture. if your WH is at one end of the house and your shower is are the other, its going to take a while for the hot water to get there. in this situation a recirc system would work well

Have that setup in our house, master bath with shower and 2 faucets - on demand. Just turn on all 3 fixtures full hot and hot water is there pretty quick. Then just leave the one fixture on.

 

[burbguy82]

Do not do a recirc on a tankless.

If you do a recirc line, use the verbage "dedicated return" and specify not to use a crossover valve. Trust me. I have installed countless recirc systems, 1000s.

Use a Grundfos SS pump without a timer or aquastat. Just let it run.

There are many variables to it, as far a construction goes, but if it is pex, heat loss is a non issue, if copper 100% use 1'' think Nomalock or equal insulation on the entire hot system, not just the hot loop.

 

[SC Maintenance]

But from what I'm reading, this will increase my energy bill, and it requires maintenance.

Solution in search of a problem.

I am assuming your going tankless hot water? The furthest tap in my house takes about 45 seconds to get hot water.

 

[ragtoplvr]

where I used to live the ground did not perk very well. A modern septic was going to cost at least 18 K, probably more.

One of these on a timer reduced my water use, and the septic worked until I sold it. Well worth the cost. Now a few years later I drove by and they were digging up the yard. I am glad I moved.

Rod

 

[Quattro Pete]

I am assuming your going tankless hot water?

No. Traditional gas water heater.

 

[SC Maintenance]

No. Traditional gas water heater.

I could not fathom living without a tankless anymore honestly. Preference or something else?

 

[Quattro Pete]

I could not fathom living without a tankless anymore honestly. Preference or something else?

I've read tankless has limited flow rates, so if you have multiple people trying to take showers at the same time, there may not be enough pressure.

 

[Danno]

I could not fathom living without a tankless anymore honestly.

Curious on why? Unlimited hot water?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Curious on why? Unlimited hot water?

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.

 

[skyactiv]

With hot water available quicker, you'll use less water. It will offset the higher electric bill but to how much I have no clue.

 

[Quattro Pete]

With hot water available quicker, you'll use less water. It will offset the higher electric bill but to how much I have no clue.

The home is on well water, so there is no traditional "water bill" per say, but of course there are other expenses like well pump, septic, etc.

 

[Quattro Pete]

depends on where you water heater is and how long the run is to the farthest fixture. if your WH is at one end of the house and your shower is are the other, its going to take a while for the hot water to get there. in this situation a recirc system would work well

Like I mentioned, heater is on one end of the house in the basement, and the bedrooms are on the other end of the house, 2 floors up.

 

[CarLuver]

Like I mentioned, heater is on one end of the house in the basement, and the bedrooms are on the other end of the house, 2 floors up.

i would do it since its a new construction . its just some extra piping . my cousin had it done in her house when it was built and works well . i pump a recirc pump in my freinds house and it works well also, but with that system they only get instant in the area where they put the crossover .