How Hot Water Recirculation Systems Work
The hot water supply line in
your home carries hot water from the water heater to the various sinks and baths
throughout the house. In a home without recirculation, when you turn on a hot water
faucet, all the water sitting in the supply lines has to pass through the pipes before hot
water from the tank reaches the faucet. As a result, gallons of water are wasted while
waiting for hot water to arrive.
By running a return line from
the last tap on the hot water supply line back to the water heater and installing a small
circulating pump, hot water is circulated in the supply line and is immediately available
when you turn on your faucet. The direction of flow moves from the water heater through
the hot water supply line, through the return line, through the recirculating pump, and
then back to the water heater.
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