Have you ever wondered why you have to wait a few seconds for the hot water to kick in when taking a shower or washing the dishes? The answer is simple! When the faucet is turned on, the hot water needs to travel from the water heater to the faucet. When the water is turned off, it doesn’t return to the water heater. Instead, it sits in the pipe and cools. So, the next time you turn on the hot water, the cold water is pushed out of the faucet first. This processs can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. It all depends on how much cold water is sitting in the pipe and the amount of pipe the water has to travel through.

This process is not only inconvenient but it also wastes water and drives up your utility bills. Luckily, there is a way for it to run a lot smoother. All you need is a hot water recirculating water pump!

A recirculating water pump returns unused hot water back to the water heater. It is installed directly on your water heater to provide instant hot water. A recirculating water pump works by creating a loop from the water heater to the faucet and back to the water heater. This eliminates water from sitting in the pipes.

The system is often available with sensor and timer features, too. The sensor will shut the pump off once the water has completed the loop back the water heater. The timer allows you to control when the pump is active. This gives you the option to turn the pump off at night or when you aren’t home. Adding a sensor and timer to your recirculating pump is a great way to ensure your energy costs stay low.

Benefits of a hot water recirculating pump include:

• On-demand hot water
• Energy efficient
• Lowers utility bills
• No wasted water

Silverton Custom Homes can easily include a recirculating water pump in your custom home’s design. Contact our team to learn more about the home building process or to check out our available homesites.