Original Question: “Do you need to unplug your hot water recirculating pump when you turn off the water to the house (DIY, water heater)?” YES. It is a very good idea to turn off, or unplug, your hot water recirculating pumps if and when you turn off the water or the water heater for any extended period.

Can I unplug recirculating pump?

Yes, you can turn off your hot water recirculating pump. Solutions like- unplugging it, using a timer and using wifi sockets are convenient. Make sure to follow the required instructions before and after you’ve turned it off for your safety.

Do recirculating pumps run all the time?





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 long should a recirculating 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 does a recirculating pump work on a hot water heater?

By adding a circulator pump, water is circulated through the cool pipes from the heater to the farthest fixture. The cool water is circulated back to the heater via the cold-water line, and no water is wasted during the wait. The energy use of the circulation pump is less than operating a 25-watt light bulb.

What happens if you unplug your water heater?

Any time you go on vacation, it’s best to also turn off your water heater as well. Turning off the source of the heat (gas, electric) while you’re away will not damage your water heater. This will save you in power (gas) and potential damage if it leaks too.

Why is my recirculating pump making noise?





Answer: The air in the system leads to noise. The entire system must be inspected and bled. The pumps may be oversized for the system in question.

How much electricity does a hot water 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 set a recirculating pump timer?

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.

Does a recirculation pump increase pressure?

The hot water recirculation pump works by: Increase water pressure at the water heater. This propels the water to your faucet or shower much quicker. Returns the unused hot water in the pipe back to the water heater or boiler.

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. .

How does a hot water recirculating sensor valve work?

A patented sensor valve opens when the water on the hot water side cools and pushes the cool water back to the water heater. As the temperature in the hot water line hits 98º, the valve closes.

How does a circulating pump work?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: As the impeller rotates it imparts kinetic energy or velocity onto the water and this moves outwards by the time the water reaches the edge of the impeller it has reached a very high velocity.

How do you tell if circulating 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 …

What setting should my circulating pump be?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So the usual. Setting is to stick it in the middle in the number two medium saying and leave it and probably up into such guilty over the years of just setting it there and away you go.

What controls a circulator pump?

The low switch indirectly controls the heating circulator by locking out (keeping off) the circulator pump assembly if the boiler temperature drops into the low range. Check valves control circulator flow or flow rate and may be used to balance heating zone flow or heat output.

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 circulation pumps push or pull?



The pump pulls water in through the inlet and pushes it out through the outlet. Typically, there will be an arrow on the casing to identify the direction of flow so you know which is the inlet and outlet.

How much does it cost to change 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.

Do I need a circulator pump?

Recirculating Pump Comfort System



The Comfort System can bring hot water quickly to areas in your home that take a long time to get hot water. For example, if your water is far away from your shower or kitchen, the recirculating pump will solve this problem. You also won’t need to install additional pipe.

How much does it cost to install a hot water recirculating pump?

Currently on a project which I’m managing, we installed a recirculation pump and pex piping in an open basement. The cost was $750.00 labor and material which included approximately 150 feet of piping.