Instant hot water

[WV Hillbilly]

I am thinking of purchasing & installing a hot water recirculation device so I can get hot water to my faucets faster . So far I have read about the Watts , the Autocirc , the Chilipepper & the hot water Lobster . I plan on installing the device under the bathroom sink which is the furthest fixture from my water heater . The device I will install will use the cold water pipe as a return pipe . Think the watts may mount at the water heater & the others under the sink . I am leaning toward the Chilipepper because it only runs when a button is pushed to activate it . The others use a sensor that sense water temp. & would be running when not necessary . Looking for advice & suggestions on these type systems . Thanks

[Gary Swart]

I use a Lange system. It does require a return line. I opted not use a system with the cold water lines acting as the return because I felt that if/when I wanted really cold water, I'd have to purge the warm water out of the cold line. I really like the instant hot water. System is about 4 years old. I have no timer, so it runs 24/7.

[Donn2390]

I have a "Redy Temp". I researched them all, and like this ine the best. Comes with a timer, but I installed a remote control, so just turn it on before I shower. it has a sensor to turn it off when proper temp is reached, so it doesn't run all the time anyway, but I like to turn it off when not in use.. mounts under the farthest sink, easy hook up, nice unit...
Chili pepper is noisy, so I was told..

[Redwood]

You have a lot more options for controling when a recirculation system runs than you think and the push button is not limited to just 1 manufacturer.

The reality is that you can take any system and control when it runs with anything from timers to occupancy sensors.

[kingsotall]

Even controlled with one of these¿

[Gary Swart]

I have no quarrel with a timer on a recirculation system, I just weighed the luxury of hot water literally anytime day or night against the small cost of running the pump full time. It has a very small motor, and I was not able to see the increase in my power consumption. But, if you are trying to be as green as possible, then probably a timer would be best for you.

[WV Hillbilly]

I would have to install a receptacle under the sink for the unit to plug into . I have a receptacle on the wall above the vanity so it wouldn't be much of a problem installing a switch beside the receptacle & fishing a wire down the wall to a switched receptacle under the sink . I could then turn it on or off with the switch or leave the switch on & let the timer do it's thing or let the pump run all the time , whichever mode ended up suiting me best . Does anyone know anything about the ( HOT WATER LOBSTER ) ? It is a temperature sensitive valve that installs between the hot & cold pipes under the sink . It adjusts from 77 degrees to 135 degrees if I remember correctly . Anyway , when the water temp. on the hot side of the valve drops below the set temp. the valve opens & lets the hot & cold mix . It has no motor or pump & works off the thermo-syphon principal . I have a single lever faucet & right now I have the faucet spout capped & the lever in the center on position . Guess after a while I'll find out if the water will circulate by itself . Do you think the water will thermo-syphon & circulate ? Thanks

[Redwood]

Most of the units we have been talking about have the same type of thermostatic valve.

[Donn2390]

I have no quarrel with a timer on a recirculation system, I just weighed the luxury of hot water literally anytime day or night against the small cost of running the pump full time. It has a very small motor, and I was not able to see the increase in my power consumption. But, if you are trying to be as green as possible, then probably a timer would be best for you.

You're right about it being a small motor and not using much electricity, however..... Running it all the time and the pipes act as a radiator, cooling the water, thereby making the HW heater run more often. You are using more electricity AND NG. We have a tiny remote in the top drawer. Simple to turn it on as needed. An hours worth of shower a day, and 23 hours off.
We only use it for showers. I haven't found a need for instant HW any other time...

[hj]

And if you shower at the same time every day, the timer could be set to just run it then, so no real benefit for a sensor or switch.