Want instant hot water?
If you would like instant hot water when you turn on the hot water faucet, we are happy to share this little-known device called the hot water recirculating pump. The term ‘instant hot water’ is a bit misleading as this device will provide warm water in about 2 seconds which is much better than 60 seconds if you don’t have one of these devices. 58 seconds doesn’t sound like a lot of time but when you turn on your hot water faucet and get cold water instead, those 58 seconds seem like an eternity, not to mention the water being wasted before the water turns warm. Is getting warm water in 2 seconds better than instant hot water? Yes, because it is much safer for you and your entire family not to get burned or scalded, especially if it is your children.
How does the instant hot water recirculating pump work?
The hot water recirculating pump is basically a mini pump and is connected to the exit pipe of your hot water heater and has a timer that you can program when to come on and off. This device uses very little electricity so there needs to be an electrical outlet close by or run an extension cord. There is also a separate sensor valve that you would install at the furthest location of your home to ensure hot water is recirculated in those areas. Additional valves can also be placed in other parts of the home. If your home is very quiet, you may hear some click sounds which indicate the pump and sensor valve working. That sound comes from the sensor valve recirculating the hot water until a certain temperature reaches the valve. The temperature is around 100 deg. fahrenheit hence the warm water.
How do you install the instant hot water pump?
If you’re handy, you can probably install this pump in about an hour. You may need to change your exit water pipe because the pump will be inserted in between. You can follow the instructions provided. Otherwise, you can call a plumber to install. The plumber should only charge you an hour or so for an install price. Check for water leaks after the installation.
Next is to install the sensor valve which can take just as long to install but is quite easy to do. The instructions for the sensor valve say not to use thread sealant tape or pipe dope on the sensor valve threads due to the water lines provided will use compression fittings. When using these fittings, you cannot over-tighten, otherwise, it will cause a leak. You can tighten the nut with your fingers and when you feel the resistance, use a wrench to do a 1/4 turn more and you’re done. Again, check for water leaks after installation. Plug the pump into an outlet and program your settings and enjoy warm water in 2 seconds!
Will hard water affect the sensor valve?
When using these sensor valves, it is important to note that if you have hard water, this valve will eventually stop working due to hard water buildup so you will need to replace them. If you use our magnetic water system with this sensor valve, you will prevent hard water buildup and never have to replace them for that reason. As you can see, the cost of these sensor valves is not inexpensive. The cost for the magnetic water system is less than the sensor valves and a lot less than replacing a recirculating pump so it is an excellent investment which makes the magnetic water system a no-brainer. The magnetic water system will also benefit your recirculating pump by preventing hard water buildup and keeping it working smoothly.
What happens if the electricity goes out?
If the electricity goes out, you will still get hot water. The pump will not prevent hot water from flowing to your hot water faucets. The only downside is the pump will not provide the warm water you programmed at specific times. Also, you will need to correct the time on the timer due to the electricity going out.
Do I need to program the pump to run continuously during the time of day that I want?
No, this is not necessary. The timer on the pump only allows 15-minute intervals so we have our pump running usually every 30 minutes during the times of the day we want it on. We are fortunate to live in an area to not worry about freezing pipes so the pump does not need to work while we sleep. For colder climates, you will probably be needing the pump to work all night long when it is the coldest. If it is really cold, you may need the pump to work non-stop.
Can this help with freezing water pipes?
This pump works great in cold weather locations where your pipes have the possibility of freezing. The current way to keep your pipes from freezing is to slightly open your faucet so the dripping water would keep the water flowing and not freeze. The only problem with this is the loss of water pressure for the city’s water system which could hinder the efforts of firefighters if they’re unable to get the water pressure needed from hydrants during emergencies. Having a hot water recirculator does not have the loss of water pressure problem and keeps your pipes from freezing without wasting any water.
It is one of those devices that we don’t take for granted and are always thankful we have, even after years of owning one. We are so amazed by this device that we believe this should be installed in every home!
