Hot water-booster (pump)

[yongak27]

I intend to install a hot water booster/pump. Any good recommendations?

 

[Bill4728]

If you're talking about one of those pumps which keeps the hot water circulating to the fartest reaches of the house. We have one and don't like it.

Yes, it keeps the water hot even really far away from the HT tank, BUT there is a nasty side effect. The cold water pipes in the same areas are full of hot water. So if you want a drink of cool water, forget it. If you want the temp in the shower to stay the same temp. forget it. It starts warm/hot then cools significantly as the cold water in the pipes finally gets to your bathroom.

We're glad we don't have to wait for the hot water, but when you flush the tolet and the water is hot, it kind of wierd.

 

[isisdave]

Many years ago I lived in a house with a circulating hot water system and it worked fine. Now I think you'd have to consider it non-ecological as it does waste heat unless you are using a lot of hot water anyway.

Where (what room) do you want to put it? How far from the water heater?

What about one of the small on-demand local heaters? Do you have a beefy enough electrical supply at the desired location for one of those? They're quite economical and supply hot water in seconds.

 

[Passepartout]

The only one I had experience with was timed so it turned on a few minutes before get-up time then off after a couple of hours, then turned on again an hour or so before customary bed-time. This afforded instant hot water when it was likely to be used and held down the cost.

When we remodeled our master bedroom we installed a dedicated water heater in the basement wine cellar under the master suite. Problem solved.

Jim Ricks

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

We're glad we don't have to wait for the hot water, but when you flush the tolet and the water is hot, it kind of wierd.

Just wondering... Why are you feeling the temperature of your toilet water when you are flushing?

 

[yongak27]

Hot water booster (pump)

Hi,
Thanks for all input - I think I shall only have my main bathroom with hot water for shower - to save cost and the enviroment!

 

[Phillie]

we have one of the timed ones

We put in two years ago a timed one so that at night for hte kids baths and our showers in the morning we wouldnt have to wait. It works great. It also allowed us to keep a smaller water heater since we only use the larger amounts at certain times and the pipes act as extra capacity. If you build a new house they use seperate lines for the recirc as oppsoed the the cold water lines for exisiting homes. The only issues is when we loose power or change ht eclock I need to remember to adjust the time at the hot water heater. We also put in a whole house humidifier since it gets so dry from the heat and help with my sinus issues.

 

[caribbeansun]

Of course leaving your hot water tap running for an extra minute waiting for the hot water isn't exactly ecological friendly either.

Many years ago I lived in a house with a circulating hot water system and it worked fine. Now I think you'd have to consider it non-ecological as it does waste heat unless you are using a lot of hot water anyway.