Is Your Water Taking Too Long To Heat Up?

If you are tired of waiting for hot water or don't like the idea of wasting water, consider installing a hot water recirculating system or having one installed. The principle of these systems is simple: A recirculating pump installed in the plumbing lines creates a loop that slowly and constantly circulates the water in the hot water pipes back into the water heater for reheating. This means that as soon as you open a faucet or turn on a shower, warm water is already present in those pipes.

There are many options when it comes to hot water recirculating systems. In a traditional hot water recirculating system, there is a dedicated return line for the hot water pipes, which runs from the furthest bathroom or fixture back to the water heater. Near the water heater area, a recirculating pump pulls the water from the furthest fixture back into the water heater, creating a loop. This loop keeps hot water going throughout the house so when a fixture is used, hot water is right there.

On-Demand hot water recirculating systems is similar to the instant recirculating system, but rather than running constantly or at preset timed intervals, it requires the user to activate the pump when hot water is needed. It can be a traditional style with the pump at the water heater with a dedicated return line, or it can be an under-the-sink pump that is installed in the farthest sink and provides hot water throughout the house.

When the pump is activated, it will pump cooled water in the hot water pipes back into the cold water pipe and push it back toward the water heater, creating a temporary loop as the water heats up. When the water arriving through the hot water pipe reaches the desired temperature, the pump shuts off, and the hot water runs out the faucet rather than looping back through the cold water pipes.

Stickley, A. (2021, May 29). How to get quicker hot water with a hot water recirculating system. The Spruce. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.thespruce.com