[Shop-talk] water heaters and hot water loops?

[scott.hall at comcast.net]

well, our goal at least is hot water instantly available without having to push a button or pay for a pump to constantly cycle it. 

now I just have to figure out if a passive loop system really works. seems good in theory, but... 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Horne" <pat at hornesystemstx.com> 
To: shop-talk at autox.team.net 
Sent: Monday, April 6, 2009 10:11:38 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] water heaters and hot water loops? 

Years ago I came up with a slightly different system than the 
recirculating loop hot water system. 

The Recirculating system needs double the amount of pipe than a normal 
hot water system. If the goal is to get hot water sooner, or not waste 
the water that goes down the drain while waiting for hot water, put a 
small pump and check valve between the hot and cold lines under the sink 
you want faster hot water at. The inlet of the pump connects to the hot 
water line, the outlet of the pump goes to the inlet of the check valve, 
and the outlet of the check valve goes to the cold water line. A timer 
and a push button switch can be rigged up to turn the pump on. ( A 
thermostat on the hot water line could also be used to turn the pump off 
when the hot water gets there also.)