What are your experiences with hot water recirculation systems?

Am considering purchasing a system. Looking for pro's and con's. Asked by hoot7 54 months ago Similar questions: experiences hot water recirculation systems Home > Home Improvement.

Similar questions: experiences hot water recirculation systems.

We liked ours OK, I'm assuming you mean the type that have a furnace that heats water, a pump that circulates it through pipes in baseboard heater elements, and it returns back to the furnace to repeat the cycle - a "closed loop" system. The baseboards do take wall space, which can be annoying if you want to put something right against a wall. Tables are the worst - things are always falling off the back end.

However, this was our only complaint. There are many advantages to this type of system, and if we could have it back, we would. (We're now on forced-air, which I thought I'd like better, but in the end I don't.) My list of reasons why I like them: The pipes are much smaller in below/above spaces - ducts for forced air are huge in comparison, and even worse if you want to insulate them.

They heat a room VERY quickly. You usually end up with baseboards around the entire perimeter. We could heat a 14x20 bedroom from 60 to 70 in just a few minutes.

They take a lot less space than steam radiators, and are less noticeable. They're much more adjustable. With forced air you're always dealing with the pressure in the ducts, trying to get things just right, ceiling vents are hard to reach to shut off, and floor vents are easy to drop stuff into.

With baseboards, you have both the normal zoning of the system AND a little slat you can close or open to control an individual room's heat level. No mold or dust risk in your ducts. Our furnace also had a domestic hot-water coil in it.

This means the furnace runs all year round, but it also means you don't need a water heater, and you ALWAYS have hot water. You NEVER run out. There is a bit of a maintenance issue - it can be hard to fix a leak in the system.

Fortunately, in a properly installed system, this is a rare event, but there IS that to consider. Me, I'd install it again in a heartbeat, if it was appropriate for our house. Our forced-air system is a real pain.

Our house was expanded 10 years ago by the previous owner, and they didn't quite get the ducts right, so we're always fighting with hot and cold rooms, and we only have one zone for the entire house. The ducts also take a lot of headroom in the basement, so when we finished the basement to add a TV room/den they get in the way. Finally, because the ducts to the second floor are so big, there was apparently nowhere else to put them, and they run through the back of a kitchen cabinet, so we lose a lot of storage space there.

It's a pain. Hot water recirculation would solve most of our issues, although it's not really something you deliberately retrofit unless you have a good reason..

I prefer Passive hot water return systems to active recirculators. Passive systems work well and are energy efficient. Passive hot water return systems can cost approximately $500 to $700, including installation.

There are two different types of passive systems. One, the Grundfos Comfort Series, involves an electric pump that is placed on the hot water heater outlet, pressurizing your hot water system to 3 to 4 psi (pounds per square inch). This enables you to install a bypass valve at remote locations where necessary (at the kitchen or vanity sink, for example).

The bypass valve bleeds some hot water into the cold water system periodically to maintain the hot water at a level that most customers would be happy with. The benefit to this system is that it can be retrofitted after the sheetrock is up. The downside is that some people notice that their cold water initially can come out a little warm.

The other type of passive system on the market requires small pumps to be placed directly at the remote locations instead of at the main hot water heater outlet. The drawback to this system is that you need an electrical power outlet near each pump, which can be a problem in a retrofit application. One manufacturer of this system is Laing Thermotech, Inc.An active hot water return system is a hot water line that runs throughout the house and then returns back to the water heater, with a pump on it.

This type of system is more expensive, at $1,200-1,500 for the unit and installation. To run such a system continuously would be very energy inefficient. If you choose this type of system, you will want it to run on a timer and you should make sure pipes are well-insulated to avoid heat loss.

More consideration should also be placed on the fact that these type systems also require that during scheduled-on time periods the pumps operate continuously. A more efficient system cycles the pump on and off based on temperature. Thus, less electrical energy is consumed in the process.

The only “efficient” hot water delivery system recognized by the DOE is the type in which the homeowner is required to push a button to single-cycle delivery of hot water...better known as on-demand hot water circulation. Since the original message gives actual manufacture references, I would recommend looking up Temtrol Delta T Inc. Product called RedyTemp.

Not only does the RedyTemp prevent any crossover during non-pumping operations, it also allows the homeowner to set the temperature of their hot water setpoint. More impressive is it’s ability to adapt to any type of control mechanism you desire, i.e. Timer, motion sensor, occupancy sensor, X-10, as well as in the DOE energy efficient mode of on-demand single cycle mode.

Sources: It is my opinion that In using hot water recirculation systems remember freeze protection is limited to infrequent & light freezes; Inappropriate for use with hard water.

Wall hung units they have todays days instant hot water units that could be installed anywhere in the house its small and gives out more hot water then any hot water tank, it could be installed close up to the fixtures that need it, not down in the basement, so you don't have to wait for the water to come up all the way from the basement. I installed in many houses this units for the past five years, no complaints at all, I have a freind that has his units for eighteen years he says the money he saved all these years is unbelievable. You can try rinnai.us there are a lot of companies with tankless hot water it should be in the range of $700-$900 happy savings!.

A pump rapidly moves water from a water heater to the fixtures Summary Innovative hot water recirculation systems deliver hot water to fixtures quickly without waiting for the water to get hot. Rather than relying on low water pressure common in most water lines, recirculating systems use a pump to rapidly move water from a water heater to the fixtures. In this system, a recirculating pump rapidly pulls hot water from a water heater while simultaneously sending cooled-off water from the hot water lines back to the water heater to be reheated.In addition to having the convenience of hot water on-demand, the system conserves water and can save energy.

Hot water recirculation systems can be activated by the push of a button, or by a thermostat, timer or motion sensor. Systems that use a thermostat or timer automatically turn on the pump whenever water temperature drops below a set-point, or when the timer reaches a setting. These systems ensure that hot water is always available at the faucet without any waiting.

Systems that use a thermostat or timer may use more energy than on/off button or switch operated systems, due to more frequent recirculation cycles and hot water constantly being left in the pipes to cool off. Hot water recirculation systems generally consist of a pump, an integrated electronic controller, and a zone valve. When the activation button is pushed, or when another type of control turns the system on, the pump starts recirculating cooled water that's been sitting in the hot water line and sends it back to the water heater through the cold water line.

When the water reaches a desired temperature a control closes the zone valve and turns off the pump. It is much like turning on the hot water faucet and letting the water run until it gets hot, but instead of the water going down the drain, it is simply returned back to the water heater. When the hot water faucet is turned on, hot water is readily available.

The system is designed to provide hot water at the most distant fixture and every fixture in series or close to the main line. All cold water fixtures still receive cold water, and the system is designed to not allow hot water to enter cold water lines. Only one pump is necessary to supply hot water to any fixture.

Optional wireless remote control units let the user turn on the system from any faucet or fixture in the house. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------PATH Attributes When controlled manually or automatically, recirculation systems reduce the amount of wasted hot water (e.g. , water that goes down the drain while the homeowner waits for the desired temperature). If recirculation systems operate continuously, however, they have the potential to use significantly more energy for pumping and for hot water energy lost from the pipes than they save by reducing hot water waste.

Recirculating systems reduce the waste of water while waiting for hot water at faucets. Recirculating systems deliver hot water to faucets quickly, adding convenience for the homeowner. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ease of ImplementationHot water recirculation systems are commercially available nationwide through the manufacturer, distributor, plumbing wholesale supply warehouse or at selected retail home stores.

Initial cost may prevent some from using recirculating hot water systems. Energy savings will vary depending on the design of the plumbing system, method of control and operation, and homeowner use. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Initial Cost The system is easily installed and costs less than $400.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Operational Cost The pump uses little electricity and saves water in the long run, The amount saved varies on system usage and plumbing design. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------U.S. Code AcceptanceNo special approval or requirements are needed to install this system into your home or office. Some jurisdictions are offering a rebate on the purchase and installation of a hot water recirculation system.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Field EvaluationsNot Applicable --------------------------------------------------------------------------------InstallationSystem components are pre-wired and assembled as a unit. Installation is a simple matter of connecting the water system between the hot and cold water supply, attaching the push button to the low voltage wire provided, and plugging into a 110 Volt outlet. The whole system can be installed in a few hours and does not require major modifications to the plumbing system.

Only simple hand tools, such as an adjustable wrench or screwdriver, are needed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------WarrantyWarranties range from 1 to 5 years depending on manufacturer and model. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Benefits/CostsHot water recirculation systems can be used in any home with standard plumbing.

Hot water arrives at fixtures faster than average. Savings in water consumption and energy can be realized; the amount of savings depends on how the system is controlled and how the system is used. Disclaimer: The information on the system, product or material presented herein is provided for informational purposes only.

The technical descriptions, details, requirements, and limitations expressed do not constitute an endorsement, approval, or acceptance of the subject matter by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/FHA), The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), or any PATH-affiliated Federal agency or private company. There are no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness Sources: http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Plumbing/hot-water-recirculation .

1 Hot water recirculation systems are great, but I don't recommend a pump! I went through 2 pumps in 5 years! I found a much better product, the Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve, for only $179.95!

I recommend it over any other system! It’s pump free, uses no electricity, and creates no noise! I had to run electrical for the pumps, which were noisy, wasted electricity, and obviously didn’t last very long!

I’ve had the Hot Water Lobster now for 3 years and it’s working perfectly! It works off of your existing plumbing, and was very easy to install! It took me literally 10 minutes!

All I had to do was install it under the sink farthest form my water heater and now I have instant hot water throughout my entire house. The Hot Water Lobster saves water, energy, and time! It’s made in the U.S.A., has a 10-year warranty, and a money back guarantee!

You can't beat this product! Here’s their site:hotwaterlobster.com .

Hot water recirculation systems are great, but I don't recommend a pump! I went through 2 pumps in 5 years! I found a much better product, the Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve, for only $179.95!

I recommend it over any other system! It’s pump free, uses no electricity, and creates no noise! I had to run electrical for the pumps, which were noisy, wasted electricity, and obviously didn’t last very long!

I’ve had the Hot Water Lobster now for 3 years and it’s working perfectly! It works off of your existing plumbing, and was very easy to install! It took me literally 10 minutes!

All I had to do was install it under the sink farthest form my water heater and now I have instant hot water throughout my entire house. The Hot Water Lobster saves water, energy, and time! It’s made in the U.S.A., has a 10-year warranty, and a money back guarantee!

You can't beat this product! Here’s their site:hotwaterlobster.com.

Need to replace a hot water heater with a bigger one in a 12/60 mobile home its a 72 model.

Wanting content for my home improvement site.

I would like to find out about people's experiences with home gyms and what would be their recommendation for somebody l.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.