Domestic Hot Water Recirculation


Another relatively simple and inexpensive upgrade for most homes is installation of a domestic hot water recirculation system, sometimes called an "instant" hot water system.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that one of these systems can save a family of four about 14,000 gallons of water a year that otherwise is wasted as family members wait for the hot water to arrive.

All that water down the drain also contains heat energy (BTU's), which adds up to millions of wasted BTU's, many tons of green house gas emissions and countless energy dollars, too.

These systems save energy by recirculating hot water rather than allowing it to go down the drain, and they save substantial amounts of fresh water, too. They're sometimes called "instant" systems because by recirculating water that has already been heated, they slash the time you'll wait for hot water to arrive at the faucet or shower after you turn on the tap.		 You may be one of those homeowners who has opted to save energy and money by having a professional install a tankless water heater. It's true that these tankless units heat water incredibly fast. They reduce energy use and many are EPA Energy Star-approved for their energy efficiency.

But it's important to understand that no matter how fast a tankless unit heats your water, it won't deliver hot water to the fixture where you want it any faster than a conventional water heater. That's where a domestic water recirculation system comes in to save many gallons of water, green house gas emissions and energy dollars.		 Some experienced do-it-yourselfers may try installation on their own, but unless you are experienced working with copper pipe, you'll get your system installed in less time and with fewer potentially expensive mistakes when you call a qualified home heating professional to do the job. Taco offers several domestic hot water recirculation systems to satisfy the needs of virtually any plumbing system you have in your home.

To learn more, download the Taco domestic hot water recirculation guide here.