Does a recirculating pump need a return line?

Not every domestic hot water recirculation system requires a return line. For residential and light commercial applications, there is another way to save water and maintain hot water at the last fixture.

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 hook up a hot water recirculating pump?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The hot water discharge line coming out of the water heater insert a gasket into the female fitting on the recirculating pump. And screw it onto the threads of the water heater discharge.

Can you circulate hot water without a pump?

Joseph Stoddard responds: In the situation you describe, you can get acceptable results without a pump. The hot water “passive recirculation” loop is a technique I learned from an old plumber years ago. I’ve successfully used this technique a number of times when the bathroom is located above the hot-water heater.

Are recirculating pumps bad for pipes?

Recirculating Hot Water Can Corrode Pipes.

How does an under sink hot water recirculating pump work?





This system creates a loop from the water heater to the faucet and back again. The unused hot water is drawn back through this loop by the pump, so when you turn on your hot water faucets, you get hot water quickly. Water is not left in the pipes to get cold and you waste less water because you don’t have to wait.

Do circulator pumps run all the time?

The most common circulator pumps run all day, every day, whether you’re actively using hot water or not. This causes a lot of heat to dissipate in the pipes 24/7 and requires the water heater to work harder to keep the water hot.

How long should a recirculation pump run?

Because a recirculation pump with built-in controls runs only 3-4 minutes per hour, it is wise to stay with the simplest PSC-driven motor.

How much electricity does a recirculating pump use?

Secondly, hot water recirculation pumps use a decent amount of energy – this also needs to be factored into potential savings. A pump that consumes 25 watts of power would use around 200 kWh of electricity each year. The average price of electricity in the US and Canada is $0.13 per kWh and $0.17 per kWh, respectively.

How do you keep your water circulated without a pump?



If you are without power, grab your pool brush! Not only will scrubbing the sides and bottom reduce or prevent algae, it also causes the water to move and circulate, helping maintain an even level of chlorine throughout the pool.

Will a recirculating pump prevent freezing?

Install hot water recirculating pump.



Installing a hot water recirculation system helps ensure that you always have hot water in your taps and prevents pipes from freezing during the winter.

How long do hot water recirculating 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 can I tell if my hot water 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

Is a recirculating hot water 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. .

Can I use PEX for hot water recirculating pump?

Since PEX is typically a home run install, this means you’ll need to install a device on each fixture you want to have recirculated. If, for example, you only hook up the bath tub, you won’t see any benefit at the sink if they are each a separate home run.

How do you plumb a hot water recirculation loop?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And a water pipe the purpose of the is to recirculate from the point of use at the end of the line back to the fixture to keep the water in the pipes. Always hot.

Can you use a recirculating pump with a tankless water heater?



A water heater and pump combined or separate. This can be a tankless water heater with an integrated recirculation pump or a water heater and an external pump. The Rheem RTGH is one of example of a unit with a built-in recirculation pump.

How do you install a dedicated hot water return line?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You could put them in the vertical. So spring-loaded check valve on the feed we always put arrows on them so we know what direction. So the blue comes down goes up into the service valve.

How do I know if I have a dedicated hot water return line?

The return line connects to either the water heater inlet or the drain valve at the bottom of the heater. Normally there will be a check valve between the end of the return line and the connection with the water heater to prevent water from being drawn backwards through the return line.

Do you need a check valve on a recirculating pump?

Whenever a zone connects to the main piping in the recirculation system, a check valve is required. A proper design will have a flow control valve installed at the end of the zone to regulate how much water goes through that zone.