Benefits of Hot Water Recirculation

SAN ANSELMO — Growing up, I remember going to take my morning shower, turning on the water and then picking out my clothes while I waited two to three minutes for it to heat up. While this is still the case in many homes, it no longer has to be—with the advent of hot water recirculation, you can get instant hot water from even the fixtures furthest from your water heater.

Hot water recirculation pumps have been around for a while, but the technology has advanced significantly over the last few years. One of today’s top products is Grundfos’ Comfort System. It starts with a 12-horsepower, 115-volt pump that’s installed on the top of your water heater. Next, manifolds are installed at the desired plumbing fixtures, from your shower to your kitchen sink. Once everything is hooked up, you simply program the system’s timer and you’ll have instant hot water to the connected fixtures.

Besides the convenience of instant hot water, a hot water recirculation pump can save an estimated 16,000 gallons per year in a four-person household—almost three-quarters of a swimming pool! In an era when water is more precious than ever, hot water recirculation pumps should be in every Bay Area home.