How to Convert Your Hot Water Circulating Pump with a Hot Water Demand PumpHomes that have standard hot water cirulating systems with a dedicated hot water return line can benefit greatly by replacing the circulating pump with a hot water demand pump saving a great deal of energy and money. |
All About Water Heaters and Water heating
Electric Water Heater Operation Electric Water Heater Repair Traditional Type Cold Water Return |
|
Replace Your Standard Hot Water Circ System with a Demand Hot Water PumpReplacing a standard hot water circulating system with a hot water demand system is simple to do and can save you significant amounts of energy. It turns your hot water plumbing system green. Typically a hot water circulating system has the hot water plumbing laid out so that the hot water flows out of the water heater, through the distribution piping and back to the water heater. The pipe from the last fixture back to the water heater is known as a dedicated hot water return line. A pump is located between the return line and the water heater inlet to circulate the hot water through this big loop of plumbing. Keeping all of that pipe full of circulating hot water wastes a lot of energy. To reduce the waste, timers are often employed to turn the pump off during periods of very low usage. Like from midnight to 6 a.m. for instance. One down side to the timer scheme is that if you need hot water during that period you will run a lot of water down the drain waiting for it to arrive. By replacing the circulating system with a hot water demand system you will save a lot of energy and hence a lot of money while retaining the water conservation aspects of a hot water recirculating system. The hot water won't be as fast since you will have to wait for the pump to get it to the fixture, but it is typically faster than a traditional passive hot water distribution system. Pump InstallationSimply replace the old pump with the demand pump. Typically a hot water demand system locates the pump under the furthest fixture from the water heater. This is necessary because the cooled-off hot water left over from a previous use must be sent back to the water heater and so a connection must be made between the hot and cold water pipes. This forms the "loop" needed to eliminate running water down the drain while waiting for the hot water. However, the demand system will work fine if the pump is placed next to the water heater since you don't need to involve the cold water piping. There is a check valve installed between the pump and the water heater in the hot water circulating system as well as in the demand pumps. You will have slightly better performance (faster hot water) if you remove the check valve. Controlling the PumpControlling the pump requires that you either run wires from buttons next to the fixtures, or use a remote control system. Most of the demand hot water systems on the market offer either remote control devices or are compatible with X10 remote control methods. Most hot water demand systems are compatible with various other methods of activation besides pushing a button, such as using motion detectors or timers. Turn your hot water circulating system green today by installing a hot water demand system in its place and start saving energy and money! More information about Hot Water Demand Systems:
. |
||