Say Goodbye to Cold Showers: The Ultimate Guide to Hot Water Recirculation Systems
We have all been there: you turn on the shower or the kitchen faucet, and then you wait… and wait… for the water to finally get hot. Not only is this frustrating, but it also wastes thousands of gallons of clean water down the drain every single year.
The solution to this common household annoyance is a hot water recirculation system. By keeping hot water circulating through your pipes, these systems ensure that hot water is quickly available. If you are tired of waiting, here is what you need to know about hot water recirculation systems and the best options for your home.
The Two Most Common Residential Setups
Every home is plumbed differently, which means there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recirculation. However, almost all residential systems fall into one of two categories:
Dedicated Recirculation Lines: This is the gold standard, typically found in newer construction or heavily remodeled homes. It involves a dedicated return pipe that creates a continuous loop from your water heater to your furthest fixture and back again. A pump gently pushes the water through this loop, ensuring hot water is always at the ready.
Recirculation with a Grundfos Comfort Valve: What if your home wasn’t built with a dedicated return line? Tearing up drywall to install one is incredibly expensive. The solution is installing a pump at the water heater and a special Grundfos Comfort Valve (often called a cross-over valve) under the sink furthest from the heater. This brilliant valve uses your existing cold water line to send cooling hot water back to the tank, creating a temporary recirculation loop without the need for new piping.
Tankless Water Heaters and Recirculation
Tankless water heaters are fantastic for infinite hot water, but if you want recirculating hot water at the tap, you need to be careful about how you set up the system.
If you are upgrading to a tankless system and want recirculation, it is highly recommended to install a unit with a built-in recirculation pump rather than adding an external pump. Manufacturers engineer these integrated pumps to communicate flawlessly with the heater’s computer and flow sensors. Bolting an external pump onto a standard tankless unit can lead to “short cycling,” premature wear on the heat exchanger, and can even void your manufacturer’s warranty.
The Brains of the Operation: Modern Smart Pumps
There are many different types of recirculation pumps on the market, ranging from simple continuous-run motors to advanced smart technology.
Today’s modern pumps offer incredible features designed to save both water and electricity. For example, the Grundfos Alpha series pumps represent the cutting edge of plumbing technology. These pumps are highly programmable and feature advanced technology that automatically adapts to your system’s needs and your family’s usage patterns. Instead of running 24/7 and wasting electricity, smart pumps learn when you typically need hot water and adjust their flow accordingly.
Your Local Recirculation Experts
Designing and installing a hot water recirculation system requires precision and expertise to ensure it works efficiently without damaging your plumbing.
At NCWaterHeaters.com LLC, we are experts in hot water recirculation systems. Whether you need a brand new system designed from scratch, a retrofit for an older home, or maintenance on your current setup, our multi-trade professionals have you covered. We can evaluate your home’s layout and recommend the perfect pump and valve combination for your specific needs.
Proudly Serving:
Raleigh
Cary
Apex
Durham
Chapel Hill
Fuquay-Varina
Angier
Clayton
Wake Forest
Stop pouring money and water down the drain. Contact NCWaterHeaters.com LLC today to get instant hot water in your home!