Hot Water Recirculating Systems

HurlingBoy

I am building a new house and the plumbing is currently being fitted. The water tank is in the garage. A pressurised system is being used. I am wondering if I should fit a hot water recirculation system to avoid a delay in hot water to the taps, showers etc.
I believe that these use up alot of electricity. Are they worth fitting? What is the cost of these systems?

sullzz

Don't even think about not fitting it , at least leave a pipe in for it , all it is is a brass bodied pump fitted to your cylinder , they use up feck all energy , you could have it timed to only recirculate at peak times when you might need a demand for hot water , as I said at least leave a pipe from your garage to the house

Outkast_IRE

HurlingBoy wrote: »

I am building a new house and the plumbing is currently being fitted. The water tank is in the garage. I am wondering if I should fit a hot water recirculation system to avoid a delay in hot water to the taps, showers etc.
I believe that these use up alot of electricity. Are they worth fitting? What is the cost of these systems?

If its a long way from the cylinder to the taps then yes it is worth it.

In terms of cost, you need to pay for a pump suitable for a brass bodied circulation pump and then length of pipe from the cylinder to the pump to the end of the line.

In terms of running cost the best solution is to have the pump on a timer and set to run just before your likely to look for hot water such as first thing in the morning or before wash up for dinner.

And put the very best insulation on the hot water pipework, that way it will stay hot for ages in the pipework and will allow you to run the pump less.

Dtp79

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

If its a long way from the cylinder to the taps then yes it is worth it.

In terms of cost, you need to pay for a pump suitable for a brass bodied circulation pump and then length of pipe from the cylinder to the pump to the end of the line.

In terms of running cost the best solution is to have the pump on a timer and set to run just before your likely to look for hot water such as first thing in the morning or before wash up for dinner.

And put the very best insulation on the hot water pipework, that way it will stay hot for ages in the pipework and will allow you to run the pump less.

Yes insulation is the main thing here

Ging Ging

Maybe suiteably located and rated PIR could be used along with the timer too. I'd consider one of these in the kitchen so the pump would circulate when somebody was in that area even at off peak times (kitchen hot tap often in demand). I havn't seen it done this way, its just an idea. It may not be a great one though, as the pump might not end up running long enough to provide the hot water, then again it may. I think I'd wire for it in my own home if starting from scratch.

Outkast_IRE

Ging Ging wrote: »

Maybe suiteably located and rated PIR could be used along with the timer too. I'd consider one of these in the kitchen so the pump would circulate when somebody was in that area even at off peak times (kitchen hot tap often in demand). I havn't seen it done this way, its just an idea. It may not be a great one though, as the pump might not end up running long enough to provide the hot water, then again it may. I think I'd wire for it in my own home if starting from scratch.

I see where your coming from with the idea, but if the pipe has some very good spec insulation on it, maybe the thick walled armaflex or similar the water in the pipework should stay hot a very long time, allowing a timed pump to work perfectly fine.
Wiring a pump to a PIR would waste energy as people could be in and out of the kitchen all the time but not looking for hot water.

shane0007

Qualpex also do an insulated ducted pipe called Ecopipe. According to the rep, it only loses 1C over 50m pipe run.
It comes in 1/2", 3/4" & 1" piping. I've used the Ecopipe Duo for bringing in heating pipes from garages, outdoor boilers, etc. Highly recommend it. I also used the Calpex version, equally as good but you have to buy their fittings at €25 each & that's x 4! The Qualpex one uses standard Irish fittings.

Outkast_IRE

shane0007 wrote: »

Qualpex also do an insulated ducted pipe called Ecopipe. According to the rep, it only loses 1C over 50m pipe run.
It comes in 1/2", 3/4" & 1" piping. I've used the Ecopipe Duo for bringing in heating pipes from garages, outdoor boilers, etc. Highly recommend it. I also used the Calpex version, equally as good but you have to buy their fittings at €25 each & that's x 4! The Qualpex one uses standard Irish fittings.

Have used both these types of pipes, i would highly reccomend it if your running pipes underground across any type of outside area. Expensive stuff but its an investment.
Didnt like the Fittings on the Calpex pipe , would defo prefer the qualpex version.