Depending on the age and condition of your water heater, you could practically write a short story on the time it takes your water to heat up. No one enjoys that wait, it’s just that some people are more patient than others.
So, what’s it going to take to get you hot water “on demand?” Well, there are several options, but some faster to implement and considerably more affordable than the others.
We’re talking about adding a water heater recirculating pump to your existing unit, after which you’ll immediately start enjoying hot water in a jiff. And, because there will be no more waiting for the water to heat up, you’ll conserve a bunch of water with each usage.
How a Recirculating Pump Works
In a typical plumbing system, hot water is sent from the water heater to a faucet. When the latter is shut off, the water that was sent cools down inside the pipes. The next time you turn on that or another faucet or shower valve, the wait time starts all over again.
With a hot water recirculating pump, cooled-down water is sent back to the water heater where it’s reheated.
At the same time, hot water is steadily being pumped throughout your plumbing system
from your water heater and back again. When there’s always hot water inside your pipes, the waiting game is over.
Recirculating Pump Options
Add a timer. There are certain times of the day when you’re more likely to want hot water – like when you’re getting ready for work and school. With a timer, you can schedule the pump to activate only during that normal time, just like you can with your heating and cooling systems with a programmable thermostat.
Try a hot water demand pump. A hot water demand pump might be your best choice to meet your desire for instant hot water while helping to minimize energy consumption. The water pump only comes on when you trigger it, usually by a button or motion sensor. Then the pump turns off automatically when hot water reaches the fixture.
Recirculating Pump Benefits
Besides helping to calm your nerves, you can conserve massive amounts of water with a recirculating pump.
That also leads to a reduction in your water bills.
You also can expect a reduction in your electric and gas utility bills. Since less water leaves the tank, the tank doesn’t need to work as hard refilling and reheating, plus there’s less wear and tear to help extend equipment life.
To learn more or schedule a free proposal, contact Messmer Mechanical today.
We’re your local and long-established resource for all your home plumbing, heating, cooling, and water filtration needs.