Why does my cold water line feel hot?

A: It is normal for the incoming cold water pipe to get a little warm due to convection – that is, hot water rising in the tank. Also copper piping is a good conductor of heat. Many modern water heaters have built-in heat traps to limit the migration of hot water.

Should a circulator pump be hot?





A: Circulator pumps are generally used to circulate hot water. The temperature of the pumped medium is transferred to the pump, and it is normal for the pump’s surface to be warm or even hot.

How do I know if my recirculating pump is working?

If the circulator pump is on the RETURN side of the heating piping loop (the usual and better location) then you can feel the pipe at the circulator pump – doesn’t matter which side – in or out flow – since if the pump is running the pipe will get warm, then hot if it is successfully moving hot water out of the boiler …

Are recirculating pumps bad for pipes?

High velocity due to an oversized pump is the number-one cause of pinhole leaks in recirculation pipes. In addition, when the city water company adds chlorine to the water, it becomes worse. Chlorine is a disinfectant added to water to kill bacteria. However, it is kryptonite to piping—all kinds of piping.

How do you fix hot water from cold water tap?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And so your pipes are just sitting there and if you're not running your water they're getting the same temperature as the attic or at least close to so. If you have all that heat absorbing into them

What happens if you plumb a water heater backwards?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Now let's look at what happens when the water heater is plumbed backwards. Cold water will come in a pipe that ends at the top of the tank allowing to to mix with some of the hot.

Can I turn off my hot water recirculating pump?

You should unplug it rather than let it run dry. If it sits idle for longer than a couple weeks for vacation, minerals in the water could cause it to stick when put back in service. It usually just means you have to disassemble the pump and free the impeller before it will work again.

What happens if circulator pump fails?

Water will still circulate through the boiler’s system via convection should the pump break… but it will be very weak. This will result in a drop in heating power, and when you notice it you should immediately call for repairs.

Do circulator pumps run all the time?

The effects of an always-on circulator assembly installation are more even heat and in some cases perhaps improved freeze-resistance for the heating system piping. So depending on where you live and how your heating system is designed and controlled, it may be normal for the circulator pump(s) to run continuously.

How do you test a hot water circulation pump?



How to check if a central heating pump is working?

  1. Step 1: Find the Pump. …
  2. Step 2: Visibly inspect the pump for damage. …
  3. Step 3: Turn off the power supply. …
  4. Step 4: Loosen the silver plate. …
  5. Step 5: Remove the silver plate. …
  6. Step 6: Check if the pump shaft has seized. …
  7. Step 7: Turn the power back on. …
  8. Step 8: Bleed the system.

How long do recirculation pumps last?

How Long Do Recirculating Pumps Last? Most pumps – assuming you did not get a lemon – will last 10 to 15 years. The biggest factors that impact their life expectancy are the amount of water you use every day and the quality of the manufacturing.

How long does a water circulator pump last?

Hot water recirculating systems need little maintenance. Keep an eye and an ear out for leaks or unusual sounds. If you do run into a problem, Griccino says call a plumber immediately. Barring any malfunction, you should get about 10 years of use from the pump.

How much does it cost to replace a circulator pump?



Replacing a failed circulator pump can cost as little as $400 or as much as $750 or more for the parts and labor at the time of publication. Cost of just the circulator pump itself falls in the range of $100 to $300 depending on the model your system needs.

How do you lubricate a circulating pump?

Motor bearings should initially be lubricated with 1/4 oz in each oil tube. For re-oiling, Bell & Gossett recommends the pump bearings be lubricated with 1 teaspoon of B&G 20# weight non-detergent oil at the start of each heating season. A SAE 20 oil or 10W-30 oil may be substituted if B&G oil is not available.

Do hot water recirculating pumps run continuously?

While the system is capable of running continuously, it doesn’t always do this. Most hot water recirculating pumps come with sensors or timers to regulate operation. Sensors can detect the temperature of the hot water in the pipe, only running the recirculation pump when the temperature drops below a specified level.

How do you adjust a hot water recirculating pump?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Every single one of these little switches is fifteen minutes so there are four of them per hour on. So let's look at what we have set up here the way my pump is set up is I am on from.

What does a hot water heater recirculating pump do?



A home water re-circulating pump is used to circulate domestic hot water so that any faucet or shower will provide hot water instantly upon demand. These systems slowly pump hot water through your hot water pipes and back to the water heater through either a dedicated line or through the cold water line.

Is a recirculating pump worth it?

A hot water recirculating pump will save you money, especially if you have a larger family. A family of 4 with normal water usage can expect to save $50-$75 a year. Since pumps cost about $200 each, the recirculating pump will pay for itself in 3-4 years. .

Do hot water circulators save money?

With the average national cost of water rising rapidly, a hot water recirculation pump could easily save you upwards of $50 each year. Since these pumps cost between $200 and $250 each, you could pay back the investment within a couple of years.