What Is Hot Water Recirculation? Is It Worthwhile?

Your household uses hot water in many different ways throughout the day, and this makes the water heater one of the essential home appliances. You always want your water heater to work at its best, and if at any point you think you need a professional plumber in Sudbury, MA to fix your water heater, never hesitate to give us a call. We’ll see that you receive the hot water you need.

You can also call a plumber to help you improve your hot water system. For example, you may have heard about something called a hot water recirculation system. This is a great way to make hot water use easier in a home. But what is it, exactly?

Stopping the hot water delay

When you turn on a hot water faucet in the sink to wash your hands or clean off the dishes, or when you start a shower in the morning, what temperature is the water that comes out? At best, it’s probably lukewarm. It may be cold. You have to wait at least a few seconds before the water heats up to the level you want. During that time, plenty of water goes to waste down the drain. The reason for this delay is that the water sitting in the pipes has cooled off, and it takes time for the hot water from the boiler tank or from the tankless system to reach the tap.

A hot water recirculation system eliminates this delay. The hot water you need is always on hand, ready to use, the moment you turn on the tap.

Here’s how this works

A hot water recirculation system eliminates the storage tank that holds the water until it’s ready for use. The system still has a boiler to heat the water, but instead of leaving it in a tank, the water is sent into the pipes where it circulates in a continuous loop, moving around the house and then returning to the boiler to be reheated. Not only does this take away the loss of heat through the walls of the storage tank, it also positions hot water at every fixture, ready for immediate use.

There are different types of recirculation systems: some loop the water and heat it constantly, while others use thermostats to register when to reheat the water.

Is this installation worthwhile for your home?

You receive two huge benefits from a hot water recirculation system: instant hot water and less water waste. But there can be some drawbacks, such as increased energy consumption (although using a thermostat-regulated system can help keep this in check). Hot water recirculation is also easier to install as part of new home construction rather than as a retrofit for a current home.

However, if you’re planning to take out your current boiler-based water heater, our expert plumbers can help make the conversion over to a hot water recirculation system. Our plumbers can assist you in finding out if this is a cost-effective option.

Learn more about hot water recirculation systems and our other plumbing services. Basnett Plumbing, Heating & AC has been trusted for over 30 years.