Plumbing Question (Hot Water Recirculating Pump?)

Updated on October 14, 2011
D.K. asks from Bellevue, WA
4 answers

We used to waste a lot of cold water especially in winter months during bath time in the bathroom farthest from the water heater tank. So we recently got a hot water recirculating pump with the help of a plumber (pump cost about 200$ and plumbing service was a whooping 300$!!!). However, i noticed that the hot water gets mixed up with the cold water in the cold water faucets throughout the house so I switched it off. The plumber inspected later and re-installed some neoprene divider between the hot and cold water faucets of the farthest bathroom as the solution. We tried again for a couple days and it happened again so switched it back off. It has remained switched off since then.

Has anyone had such an issue with the hot water recirc. pump installed in their homes? I absolutely do not want anything stored in the main water heater storage to turn up in the drinking water and the food I prepare. (which is what I assume was happening). Have you ever found any solution to this that worked?

Since we won't use it if there's no solution, I want to return this pump back. However I fear that I may never get the 300$ ridiculous service charge! Any advice here?

I guess a localized single point tank-less water heater in that bathroom alone might do the trick?

Thanks all in advance.

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So What Happened?

Thanks Catherine for the comprehensive answer.

Celeste, the tankless turns out be even costlier. Yes the water wastage was killing us too, however if the hot water leak in the cold water lines continues, we would be killing our water filters and cartridges. We are thinking of returning this pump.

I wonder if there's a way we could divert the cold water wasted to gardening!

More Answers

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

When it comes to recirculating pumps, you need a plumber to install them who knows what s/he is doing. I would recommend that you speak with a commercial plumber (someone who works on large restaurants, specifically). Most larger restaurants use this technology, and if it's installed incorrectly, you will have problems (as you've discovered). You want to look for a plumber who specializes in new plumbing or remodel plumbing for large commercial projects - they will have the knowledge necessary to correctly install this. Residential plumbers, not so much.

My recommendation is that you call the plumbing service who installed the recirculating pump and ask to speak with the owner or service manager. Discuss your concerns, and tell them that this most recent fix did not resolve the issue. Tell them that you want a master plumber to come out and fix it, and that if he is unable to fix it, that you want your money back. You may or may not have any luck getting them to make it right for you, but it's worth a try. If you paid with credit card, you can always decline the charges, but I'd give them the chance to try and fix it first.

I have had a lot of luck with tankless hot water heaters. They aren't cheap, and if you're thinking about re-routing the hot water supply lines for this bathroom (which you will need to do, to some extent, to install a dedicated hot water heater for this bathroom), that may be a pretty pricey fix. Definitely get several quotes. Also, if the hot water heater will be mounted in an indoor space (utility closet, garage, etc), make sure the plumber is quoting on the proper type of vent pipe, per the manufacturer's specs. Some plumbers will try to cheap out on the vent pipe and using the wrong type can not only void the warranty, but damage the unit irreparably. Properly installed, you will love it though. Good luck.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I saw one of these pumps at Costco and was torn as to whether to buy one. I tried to research them and the logistics of them online and finally decided that the water I waste waiting for hot water probably did not outweigh the cost of the pump, installation, and the extra natural gas I would be using to keep the water hot all the time.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you but it sounds like Catherine C. gave you some solid advice.

Good luck to you!

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

We have one and I've never noticed hot water from the cold faucet except during the serious heat wave so I just assumed it was from that. I love ours, it went from having to turn the faucet on and just letting all that water go down the drain for seems like forever to instant hot so I love it. Not cheap however. Seems like it cost well over $1000. But for me it's not the $, it's the wasting of the water that was killing me.

If I had a do-over I'd probably get a tankless but then I'd need one for each bathroom, right?

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C.B.

answers from Dallas on

If the hot water pump was installed correctly then there should be no mixing of the hot and cold water from any faucet. I recommend you call a 2nd plumber to see what's really going on. We recently installed a house-hold tankless heater with a built-in pump and have had no co-mingling whatsover. Our plumber was David Robbins Service Company.

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