Ever wish you didn’t have to get up to run the hot water to clear the cold water from the line?

There are systems out there that can save you a lot of water and in some cases energy. The hot water circulation system can be installed to a home to recharge the hot water line by several different means. The system is best installed when the home is being constructed. An additional recirculation line is installed to the farthest point from the water heater tank with a small pump. This pipe will be used to bring the cold water back to the tank instead of the drain keeping the supply water hot. With the high tech septic systems required today the less water we send down the drain the better. The recycle pump can be triggered by a temperature sensor, a timer or a switch. These can give you hot water according to you use.

Another type is a Thermo-siphoning system. It doesn’t use a pump but relies on the principal that hot water rises. In this system the hot water tank must be lower than the plumping fixtures. The natural rising of the hot water will move the water at a slow pace past the fixtures and return as it cools. No power is used but you must be able to have the hot water tank in a basement below the faucets. A check valve is part of this system and keeps the water flowing in one direction. Refitting an existing home can be done but an on demand water heater in the bathroom is less costly to install.