Everyone knows that water is a precious resource. However, not everyone understands how much water goes to waste when leaving the shower or faucet on to wait for the cold water to warm up.
Your water heater accounts for 12 percent of energy usage in your home. Its energy usage is second to space heating and cooling. Add the amount of water you waste when you keep the tap on, and it only leads to higher energy and water bills by the end of the month.
Luckily, there are many ways to save water. Contact Robinson Plumbing to know more about water-efficient plumbing. Our team of professional plumbers is equipped with the knowledge and years of hands-on experience to give you the best solutions for all your plumbing issues. All of our plumbing services are fast, clean, and affordable. Call us and get a free, in-home estimate today.
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In this article, we will discuss how a recirculating pump will help you save time, water, and energy.
Why Your Hot Water Faucet Gives You Cold Water When You First Turn It On
Have you ever wondered why some faucets in your house deliver hot water instantly while with others, it takes a bit of time? This circumstance depends on the size of your home and the distance the hot water needs to travel.
When you turn on a faucet, hot water comes out of your water heater. It then goes through your plumbing and out the tap. However, turning the faucet off doesn’t mean that the hot water returns to the water heater. It, in fact, stays in the pipe where it eventually gets cold. When you turn on the hot water faucet again, the cold water in the pipes is pushed through by the hot water from the water heater. The farther your faucet is from the water heater, the more pipes that it has to travel through. This situation means that it’ll take just as long for hot water to reach your faucet or shower.
How A Recirculating Pump Works
One of the best solutions for this problem is to install a recirculating pump on your water heater. It works by returning the unused hot water into the water heater. Its functionality is designed to ensure that hot water is always available. There are different models of recirculating pumps available on the market. The most common is the demand-controlled system.
On Demand System
This type of recirculating pump might be the best choice when it comes to getting instant hot water. It is a great way to conserve energy.
To use it, you activate the pump, and it will quickly draw hot water from the water heater. The cold water that is still in the hot water pipe is either sent to the cold water pipe or back to the water heater, ensuring that only hot water comes out when you need it. The circulation turns off when the pump senses hot water. This way, the hot water will not fill the cold water pipe.
Moreover, you can place pump activation controls at multiple locations in your home. You only need to make sure that you set these remote controls at areas that are easily accessible and convenient for you. You can also opt to have motion detectors installed in your bathrooms. These motion detectors can sense when you walk in your bathroom and will automatically activate the recirculating pump for you.
Because the on-demand system doesn’t remain on continuously, this model is water-efficient and cost-effective. Other types of recirculating pumps include a timer, an aquastat driven system, or an integrated loop system. Remember, it is always best to consult with a plumbing specialist before making such investments.
Benefits of A Recirculating Pump
The first obvious benefit of installing a recirculating pump is that you will no longer need to wait for your water to heat up. This convenience eliminates the time you waste standing around waiting for hot water. At the same time, it also is an effective way of saving water.
The recirculating pump’s increases the water efficiency of your home which equates to water bill savings. An average home wastes a thousand gallons each year due to the water that is left running as you wait for it to heat up. By eliminating the waste of water from your home, you can achieve tremendous savings. In fact, the hot water recirculation system will pay for its installation in only a few years just from the savings you will incur alone.
Conclusion
For trusted plumbing services, give Robinson Plumbing a call. We know the best ways to reduce your water and water heating costs. All of our high-quality plumbing services are affordable and friendly. Our knowledgeable and certified plumbers can get the job done well and in a fast and clean manner. We specialize in plumbing repairs, installations, and maintenance. Call us today to schedule a free estimate.
Some of the areas we service include Allentown, Coplay, Northampton, Whitehall, and these zip codes: 18101, 18037, 18067, 18052 as well as all surrounding areas in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!