Hot Water Circulating Pumps 101

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Originally Posted On: https://www.completepumpsupplies.co.uk/resources/hot-water-circulating-pumps-101

You’ve had a long, tiring day, and all you want is a hot, relaxing shower…

Currently, your water heater takes an extremely long time to heat the water; the shower leaves you waiting, wasting valuable time that could have been spent relaxing or doing something productive. You’re not the only one frustrated by waiting for hot water to reach your tap or shower; the rest of the household is too. But did you know there’s a solution?

Hot water circulating pumps are the unsung heroes of the plumbing world. They ensure hot water is always ready when needed, saving you water, irritation, and conserving your precious time to do the more important things in your day.

This guide will explore everything you need to know about these handy home devices.

A Hot Water Circulation Pump is a device that circulates hot water through your home’s plumbing system. Still, it is also known by a few different names depending on the specific application, which we will cover below. Its primary function is instant hot water, eliminating the need to wait for it to warm up. A central heating pump with an energy-efficient label can save the UK up to 70% of electricity compared with a pump with a D-label. Due to their substantial energy savings, they are an attractive choice for both homeowners and businesses.

Imagining yourself standing there, shivering in the cold, while the water heated up. I’m not just talking about the discomfort here; I’m also talking about the time you’re losing… day after day… waiting for something as basic as hot water. It can be frustrating, can’t it? And in the winter months, it’s even worse. The wait feels longer, the chill deeper.

If you’re tired of waiting for hot water or feel guilty about the water wasted, a circulating pump could be your new best friend – and with growing concerns over utility bills, it may even become a more economically viable option in the future.

The difference between a Pump and a Circulator lies in their operation. Pumps add energy to the fluid, causing a pressure difference and facilitating fluid movement. On the other hand, a circulator maintains the water flow in a closed loop, ensuring constant hot water availability.

Whether you need a circulating pump depends on your hot water needs. A circulating pump can be valuable if you’re left waiting too long for hot water or if wasting water is something you care about.

Heating – or primary hot water pumps are connected to the heating side of the system (not the side of the main). Therefore, water quality and contamination are not a primary concern as they do not pose any risks to the users. Also known as Central Heating circulating pumps. Hot water primary pumps do not need to be bronze or stainless steel.

Hot Water – or secondary hot water goes to hot water taps or into a manufacturing process. Unlike cast iron, materials like bronze and stainless steel are not corroded by water, so they won’t rust and release contaminants into the water supply, maintaining a clean, safe and free-from-legionella hot water supply. Also known as Domestic hot water circulating pumps, other names Sanitary pumps, HWS, secondary return pumps with fixed or variable speed and high-efficiency motors.

A Hot Water Circulation Pump installed on your water heater maintains a continuous flow of hot water through your home’s pipes – ensuring instant hot water whenever needed, saving both time and water.

There are different types of pumps to suit various plumbing systems. Some use a bypass valve installed under the sink to regulate the water temperature. Others require a third line, known as a recirculation return line, to allow the hot water to return to the heater, completing the loop.

In summary, a hot water circulation pump is a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution that provides instant hot water and reduces water wastage in many UK homes.

It depends on the kind of system, but recirculating pumps are generally installed near the water heater. Integrated systems are usually more energy-efficient. The efficiency of a hot water recirculation pump is higher than that of point-of-use heaters, especially in larger homes. Your heating system and requirements will determine whether you should use zone valves or circulator pumps.

Hot Water Recirculation Pumps are a bit like an energy-saving LED light bulb—they’re a bit of an upfront investment that can pay itself off over time, both through efficiency and reliability. In the UK, the average cost of a recirculating pump can vary from £160.30 for an economic small-scale home pump all the way to £7,429.50 for the ‘Rolls Royce’ of circulating pumps, equipped with ultimate efficiency and communication capabilities, ideal for large building projects.

But don’t let the upfront cost deter you. These pumps use minimal electricity (often less than 100 watts), and the energy-efficient models can save up to 70% of electricity compared to D-label pumps. That is just the pure financial worth of a hot water circulation pump – Can you really put a price on not yelping as soon as you turn the shower on without checking if it’s hot enough? Or having to keep sticking your hand in the shower every 2 minutes to ensure it’s hot enough to stand in?

Hot water recirculating pumps have a long lifespan, often lasting up to and above 15 years. However, if a circulator pump fails, it can lead to issues like no hot water, noisy pipes, or leaks. Over time, recirculating pumps can cause wear on pipes due to the constant water flow, but this is usually a long-term concern, and an expert can mitigate these issues with proper installation.