Table of Contents
How does a hot water recirculation loop 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.
Where is the location of recirculation pump in hot water supply?
dedicated loop: The circulation pump for this system is mounted on a pipe connected to the water heater tank down low. This is the cooler side of the loop, or the return. The hot water pipe is installed in a loop throughout the home, passing near each plumbing fixture.
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.
Does check valve go before or after recirculation pump?
What was just described is an installation where two check valves are necessary: one on the cold water supply to the water heater before the connection of the recirculating piping, and the other on the recirculating piping after the last connection of a hot water fixture.
Do I need an expansion tank with a recirculating pump?
The expansion tank is required for a recirculating (closed) loop. Connect the Thermal Expansion Tank (available at your local plumbing supplier) to the cold water supply line near the water heater. The expansion tank contains a bladder and an air charge.
Do circulator pumps go on supply or return?
Standard good practice among heating techs is to install the circulator pump on the return side of the loop where cooler temperatures can extend its life.
Should hot water recirculating pump runs 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.
Do you need a check valve on a hot water recirculating pump?
Can a hot water recirculating pump be used with a tankless?
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.
Does a hot water heater need an expansion tank?
In a “closed” plumbing system, water can’t flow back into the city water lines once it enters your home’s plumbing. Now that might not seem so bad but if you don’t have an expansion tank, a closed system doesn’t give expanded water any route for escape, causing damage to your home’s water heater and plumbing.