Domestic Hot Water Recirculation System Design

Deppmann monday morning minutes series will focus on the design of domestic hot water recirculation systems in the plumbing portion of the commercial and institutional building.

Domestic hot water recirculation system design. The alpha 15 55 hwr d is a recirculation system that delivers hot water in homes at the push of a button and can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Designing the domestic hot water recirculating system ideally hot water should arrive at the fixture between zero and ten seconds from the time a faucet or fixture valve is opened. Designing a domestic hot water recirculation system is not typically difficult. Such systems are called recirculating domestic hot water systems.

That said it is important to work through the proper design procedures for any recirculation system. In a traditional hot water recirculating system there is a dedicated return line for the hot water pipes which runs from the furthest bathroom or fixture back to the water heater. Hot water recirculation systems are designed to provide hot water to each of the home s hot water taps instantly. Installing a water recirculating pump will require you to add some piping to allow water to flow continuously through the hot water system.

Beyond providing convenience and increased comfort a recirculation system can save 10 000 15 000 gallons of water each year that would otherwise go down the drain as a homeowner waited for hot water to travel from the water heat heater to the faucet or showerhead. The system includes an alpha 15 55 circulator pump with a permanent magnet motor a temperature sensor and two push button controls. Circulating hot water through the system at times when it would otherwise not be moving because of no demand at the fixtures. Learn from a master plumber how to tackle this advanced plumbing technique.

Near the water heater area a recirculating pump pulls the water from the furthest fixture back into the water heater creating a loop. This series will be of value to engineers and designers who are new to our industry. Domestic hot water hot water recirculation plumbing pumps and piping recirculation series multiple riser recirculation systems balancing multiple risers automatic flow control lead free requirements standard nsf 64 sizing a recirculation pump recirculation pipe size vertical lifts and heat losses hot water recirculation. A hot water recirculation system is designed to provide hot water to each of the home s hot water taps instantly.

Concept of a recirculating dhw system figure 1 2 shows a simple trunk and branch plumbing distribution system that supplies hot and cold water to.