How to Install a Hot Water Recirculation Pump (Part 2: Sensor Valve)

[@317chuck]

Does the hot water recirculate thru the entire cold water system? Do you need to install a check valve or backflow anywhere?

[@jkovach82]

Looks like you might have to disassemble bc you put together outside the sink drain! Good for the demo and something you might not think of in advance...oh I have to work behind the plumbing to wall mount!

[@ColoradoEveryday]

Thanks for the video. I think I will install one of these not only for the instant hot watar but because my washer is on an outside wall and the pipe freezes. I think if I installed a sensor value at the washer in would prevent the fresing due to the hot water circulation.

[@steven.h0629]

Very good point.. everyone in freezing zones knows to leave their water faucets open just a few drips in order to keep the pipes from freezing... but this system might warm all the lines w/o constant monitoring.

[@lcagee]

Exact idea I had.

[@whatheish9]

Did this work out for you? I was considering the pump for this same application. But I’m curious if the sensor valve will stop the water from dumping to the cold line after it reaches a certain temperature.

[@ItchesIt]

How does the sensor valve actually work? Aren't you filling your cold water lines with hot water? How is the hot water actually recirculating to the water heater? It's probably super simple, but I'm not seeing how this works.

[@footlongburrito]

The sensor valve has a gel tab so to speak inside, once the temp goes below a certain temp it will open up and allow the now cooled water into the cold water side, this is where your pump comes in, pumps that water through and feeds the hot water back up to that fixture... now the sensor valve detects hot water will close off and the fixture operates as it normally does

[@ajarivas72]

@@footlongburrito Nava: If we install the sensor valve on the cold water tap, we do not need a recirculation pump. When you open the cold tap, the cold water in the hot water pipe is purged and when the hot water arrives, the valve closes and the cold water tap is fed by the cold water pipe.

[@footlongburrito]

@@ajarivas72 congratulations you repeated what I already said

[@ajarivas72]

@@footlongburrito Hi Brandon I am a victim of the secular marxist public school system

[@ajarivas72]

@@footlongburrito : My scheme does not involve a recirculation pump

[@airakalanr]

Why did you empty the tank when you installed the pump? Once you turned off the cold water pressure feeding the tank, opened your faucet hot side to purge the line, surely you could just install the pump?

[@glenntownsend636]

yep.... don't need to drain the tank

[@moonrich3492]

I thought opening the faucet valve after closing the water tank inlet valve only relieved pressure. Wouldn't there still be a lot of water in the hot water pipes ready to pour out as soon as you disconnect the outlet pipe at the top of the tank? It's against code to install a valve on the hot water side of the tank to prevent such back spill. When does water flow uphill without any pressure applied?

[@garysanchezphotography]

he didn't empty the tank, he just relieved the pressure.

[@davidstevens1911]

@@moonrich3492It flows uphill when heated.

[@buns52557]

What if you have two sinks do you need 2 of the units that you install under the sink?

[@ml2641]

Thanks for such good instructions

[@hussamalikhan]

I know it's an old post but I hope you could guide me whether this would work in my configuration. I have a central water heater and if I would connect the sensor valve on the furthest faucet to the water heater which is the master bathroom will it circulate the cold water from all the faucets including the shower heads? Conceptwise it makes sense as there is only one line for hot and one line for cold water that is distributed in the house.

[@Everything2A]

What exactly does the sensor valve do?

[@mariep8647]

I'm not sure which sink I should Identify as furthest from the water heater. The heater is in the basement, and the kitchen is at the extreme opposite end of the house on the ground floor. However, there are bathrooms upstairs that are not quite as far away, but are on a higher level. If I connect in the kitchen, will the upstairs baths still get instant hot water as well? Thanks.

[@okaythen001]

Old water heater had the pump near the bottom of the water heater, the piping goes from bottom of the tank's drain to pump then to garage's side wall. But got new water heater installed and plumber deleted that and plugged up the pipe from the wall(for the old pump) so do I need to get the same style old pump or this pump will work with my system? also how much more expensive bill a month for the pump vs without?

[@kayhillabold7768]

Thank you for this video; but we need to know (I am female, lol) if our furthest point is a bathroom which has a shower and two sinks, with the shower being furthest away, would it be possible to just install the valve at the further-est sink as our plumbing for the shower is most likely in the crawl space under the house; In doing so; would this allow us hot water at the Shower, would appreciate any knowledge you might have on this subject.

[@cqlealpha]

Kay, I'm just stopping by and want to help out. I got the same situation and I installed it under the sink and it would work beautifully. My shower has hot water immediately after the pump stop. It is because the pump push the water back to the tank so that there is only water (hot but cool down) in the section of the shower will be wasted instead of the whole pipe system if there is no pump. Hope it helps

[@dano86280]

Yes just do the furthest sink. The shower will draw.

[@saifulsarker2539]

Can it work with thankless water heater? It has to create sufficient flow through the sensor valve to get the heater started.

[@MikeTrieu]

Yeah, my water heater doesn't get enough credit for the tireless work it does, either. I should really treat it to a spa day or something.

[@patricksmall4478]

I am building a new house. Rather than the sensor valve connecting to the cold water, can you connect it to a rerun line to the hot water tank to dump the luke warm water back into the tank? I will be having a plumber do this but I am looking for an option on this from someone that is familiar with the product.

[@steven.h0629]

If your building a new house you have all those options.. yes smaller return lines directly to the tank keeps your cold faucet cold. Don't forget your external holiday outlets, under cabinet lighting, exhaust fans in every restroom, 220v in the garage + extra lighting and tons of outlets.. the list goes on and on.. but it's the small stuff like these that make a huge difference later. Extra gas lines and electrical to the backyard.. maybe even a sewage line.. cap them off for now... but you'll be glad you laid those some day.

[@mikrch3935]

I installed a Watts recirculating pump on my water heater. I installed the Hot Water Recirculating System Sensor Valve Kit under the bathroom sink which I believe it's the furthest from the water heater. When the pump is on, the cold water at that sink is warm not cold. It's the only faucet that does that. I'm not sure what the problem is. Any help is appreciated. Thank you

[@MikeTrieu]

Isn't that just how it's supposed to work? Some of the hot water is sent via the cold water line to the water heater and back through the hot line. Naturally, the cold water line will be lukewarm for a little while until it equalizes to room temperature or is purged with fresh cold water. If you don't want to have to deal with that, you'll have to plumb a dedicated return line back to the water heater.

[@dasadler46]

If you have several sinks around the house and each has its own line (like a star configuration or spokes from a hub), do I need a sensor valve on each sink? I am thinking that the furthest sink may have fast hot water but all the other sinks and showers will still have the same wait time as before.

[@jeffstanley4593]

It is my understanding that the hot water recirculates through the pipes. When you attach the sensor to the furthest point (sink) anything in between the source and that point will benefit. The in between points are still far closer to the hot water than before.

[@TheWilferch]

True....unlike the old fashioned homes that have major "Trunk" lines to and from the water heater tank ( and have branch-tees from these "trunks")......they now seem to plumb individual branch lines to each use-point, often with PEX. Regardelss.....even with a STAR pattern like you describe, it will make it more difficult for ALL the water to mix. In such cases, after you install the first valve at the furthest-away sink....you may find the need to add another valve at some other part of the house. Maybe even more than 2. Trial and eror.

[@b0neme]

Hi, good video! My question is how well does the valve work? When you want cold water, and the pump is pumping, how long does it take to get your cold back, if the pump has put hot water in the cold line?

[@MrSchmuck]

I'm looking to install the same thing and just recently had a conversation with my plumber about it. The way understand it, is that you don't really hot water on the cold lines. A sensor valve detects the hot water pipe is no longer hot, and then it starts the pump. At that point, the cold water lines get a somewhat lukewarm water. Even with a timer schedule, it's guaranteed that the hot water line is actually cold in the morning. So when the pump starts at 7:00 AM it will actually pump cold water from the hot water line into the cold water line. You should schedule it to run when there are large gaps of times between the times you need hot water; morning and after getting home from work.

[@ajarivas72]

@@MrSchmuck If we install the sensor valve on the cold water tap, we do not need a recirculation pump. When you open the cold tap, the cold water in the hot water pipe is purged and when the hot water arrives, the valve closes and the cold water tap is fed by the cold water pipe. Once the valve shuts off, the hot water is just centimeters below the hot water tap.

[@davidstevens1911]

@@ajarivas72What is the difference in doing this and just opening the hot water valve? Why would it draw hot water through a restriction rather than cold water.

[@ajarivas72]

@@davidstevens1911 no difference.

[@chuckmckay4840]

Good job/video. Followed exactly. Works well however water temp seems to be reduced after installation at far end where valve is. Any suggestions.

[@davidstevens1911]

Thanks

[@robertsimpson7113]

Any input on what to do when the sensor valve stops working? Is it user serviceable?? A new one is cost prohibitive......

[@besthotwaterrecirculators1928]

Unfortunately I don't know of a way to fix them, but the best price is on amazon: amzn.to/2kX4nLb

[@ajarivas72]

@@besthotwaterrecirculators1928 : If we install the sensor valve on the cold water tap, we do not need a recirculation pump. When you open the cold tap, the cold water in the hot water pipe is purged and when the hot water arrives, the valve closes and the cold water tap is fed by the cold water pipe.

[@MikeTrieu]

@@ajarivas72 So you're wasting a bunch of cold water down the drain just to get your hot water line up to temperature? Isn't that exactly what you bought your recirculating system to avoid? Might as well not have that valve at all and just turn on the hot tap directly and waste the same amount of water.

[@jaydee3046]

My upstairs shower will be the last item in the run. It is fed via the run from the kitchen downstairs.

[@CB-nd9ki]

I have 2 hot water heaters in a series. will this still work? Just hook it up to the 2nd one that supplies the hot?

[@footlongburrito]

Yes, being in a series then install on the second as this one will draw the water through the first heater as well

[@charlesphabmixay5981]

How long the sensor valve last how often we have to change it

[@i3diamonds]

How long is the process from start to finish for a lic plumber , 30-45min?

[@fedboy601]

Randy Cruz why ?

[@alexkim8297]

Any advice on how to install one of these pumps if you have two water heaters?

[@uhenioalvarez2651]

use two .

[@edsimmons391]

UHENIO ALVAREZ k

[@jackshammas9531]

Yes, connect the two hot water output sides into one using a "T" and install the watts 500800 at the very end of the new combined hot water feed. use shutoff ball valves before each hot water connection to isolate each tank for future service, you may have existing valves you can use those.

[@mikekilmer5194]

Hoping you can help. I heard that many people say the pumps are so loud they remove them. Are they really that loud????

[@besthotwaterrecirculators1928]

Totally false, at least with this product. You can't hear it at all unless you're 1 foot away.

[@davidstevens1911]

Where is part 2?

[@Mrtekem]

My house was improperly constructed with 3/4" copper pipes for the water supply and have over 25 ft. runs to the bathroom and sinks. This means wasting gallons of water before I get hot water in the winter. So I hope this works, but I am curious to know if my water bill will actually go down or will the push of water still demand fresh water from the supply to fill my hot water heater....we shall see..

[@purpleblueunicorn]

I think it won't change your bill since the heat from the pipes will offset heating your house.

[@Nifty-Stuff]

Great video! Question: Does the pump have to go at the hot water heater, or can it go under the same sink as the bridge valve (or anywhere else in the hot-water line between the heater and the valve)? Thanks!

[@worldview730]

You must have a lot of space under your sink to spare for that bulky item?

[@davidstevens1911]

@@worldview730I do.

[@moonrich3492]

The water pressure being applied by the pump must overcome the water tank's inlet pressure, right? Doesn't that mean it could also back up in the water line to the street? Also, the timer doesn't block hot water from flowing normally does it?

[@MikeTrieu]

That was my question, too. Wouldn't it be prudent to install a check valve on the cold water intake at the water heater? Or maybe the tankless already incorporates that?

[@davidstevens1911]

It is a closed loop system. The pressure on the inlet of the HW tank is going to be relieved by the water being drawn from the outlet of the tank. The water pressure at the outlet of the pump is going to be city water pressure plus pump pressure. The pressure at the inlet of the pump is going to be city water pressure minus pump suction pressure. IWater does not compress. Most modern hot water tanks have built in check valves (probably not the right name) or they are added. Their purpose is to keep the hot water in the tank. Without them the hot water in the tank rises to the top and continues up the cold water line where it cools and falls back into the tank. If water could be pushed back into the city water system you can be sure the plumbing code would require a backflow preventer.

[@ByrdmanSteve]

Great videos thank you. I had already purchased the same unit before finding your video. I do have a question if you're still out there. It's working well but seems the sensor valve shuts off when the water is only warm and not "hot". So the real hot water still takes about the same time to get there. Do they make less sensitive sensor valves etc..? Any info appreciated. Thanks again!

[@airakalanr]

The recirculating function means that the hot water leaving your tank passes by the hot water faucet and is pushed back along the cold line when not in demand. The hot water recirculates to the heater. Now if you installed the pump on the wrong side of your water heater................

[@TheWilferch]

Make sure the valve is installed with the "correct" side facing you. If you did it the other way around, you then inadvertantly piped it up backwards. Something to check. Otherwise.....these things are known to fail or even be bad as received on occasion. Might be a bad unit. Seems only one company makes them... Grundfos/Watts.

[@burntrubber9538]

Does this work for a tankless water heater?

[@jeffstanley4593]

No, there is no hot water in the line when you use a tankless water heater. There is no hot water in the line anyway but if you use this pump there will be. Do not use for a tankless water heater.

[@MrWuWatt]

Rinnai has models that have internal circ pumps. Wifi controller too.

[@ajarivas72]

@@jeffstanley4593 Jeff If we install the sensor valve on the cold water tap, we do not need a recirculation pump. When you open the cold tap, the cold water in the hot water pipe is purged and when the hot water arrives, the valve closes and the cold water tap is fed by the cold water pipe. Once the valve shuts off, the hot water is just centimeters below the hot water tap.

[@patanderson579]

how do i hook up when have 2 sinks in bathroom....??

[@moonrich3492]

Hook it to either one, preferably the one that's slightly farther away from the water tank. It won't make much difference.

[@ajarivas72]

@@moonrich3492 If we install the sensor valve on the cold water tap, we do not need a recirculation pump. When you open the cold tap, the cold water in the hot water pipe is purged and when the hot water arrives, the valve closes and the cold water tap is fed by the cold water pipe. Once the valve shuts off, the hot water is just centimeters below the hot water tap.

[@glenntownsend636]

should have mounted the sensor to the back of the cabinet, instead of letting it hang in front of the drain pipe

[@mikegrigoriadis9484]

Watts is the best!!!

[@barkybarker2592]

Can the valve be serviced? I'm filtering well water to 5 microns and I'm getting less than a year before the valve fails and circulates hot to the cold side.

[@stanleykeith6969]

Use some Teflon tape on those fittings, it might help with the leaks.

[@uhenioalvarez2651]

just wondering you didn't use Teflon tape on any of your threads . why ??

[@scottgadbois1597]

No need on compression fittings.

[@darrenhess1394]

No need to turn breaker off....it's a gas water heater.......

[@michaelgerhart5710]

It's called a manifold why didn't you support it to the back of the cabinet and you know rigid lav supply lines for your faucet is better right and if you don't use thread tape I would always use thread dope just trying to help I put a few in

[@roadboat9216]

Michael Gerhart I think you don’t use thread tape because the is a sealing washer involved (like a garden hose). The threads do not do the sealing, the washer does.

[@moonrich3492]

Right, he just needed to tighten it a little more. It's best not to overtighten.

[@sheridanseibel9446]

the video at the end does not quite show the top of the installation with routing of hoses. great video

[@ddbrink663]

its a bypass valve not a sensor...just saying

[@benjaminmeza5372]

The sensor valve looks like it's pointless.

[@truth6600]

And get sick.

[@selektr1]

Talking to much

[@saifulsarker2539]

What happens when the recirculation valve/sensor valves closed. The pump will be running due to timer. Is there an inbuilt bypass valve in the pump?