Pros and Cons of Hot Water Recirculating Pump

A hot water recirculating pump is a type of system that quickly pumps hot water to faucets. It means that when you turn the hot tap, you’ll get the hot water much faster, which can be a great convenience. This can be especially useful for households with on-demand or tankless water heaters, as usually there’s some waiting time before the cold water clears out the pipes and the hot water starts flowing.

However, this kind of pump has both its opponents and supporters. When discussing the cons, the former often mention its high cost or having to wait for the cold water, which can be frustrating. The supporters of the recirculating pump mention that it reduces water waste, requires little maintenance, and usually, there’s also no need to install new piping.

The decision of whether you should buy this type of unit or not is entirely up to you and your needs. Before you make a decision, it might be worth familiarizing yourself with all the possible pros and cons, so you can be sure that whatever your choice is, it’s an informed one.

The Pump Is Usually More Expensive

Some people say that there’s no bigger disadvantage of a recirculating pump than its high price, which is too much for such a simple mechanism – the price tag of an affordable hot water recirculating pump is around $300. However, its price is compensated by the fact that, in most cases, it can be installed by the consumer, so there are no installation costs (though some models might still require the services of a plumber).

In the end, this argument boils down to your budget. If you don’t have a lot of money at your disposal, a recirculating pump might seem like an unnecessary splurge, but if you happen to have some money for home improvements and think you’d really enjoy having faster access to hot water in your tap, it might be a good investment.

It Can Be Loud 

Many people mention this factor when talking about their negative experience with a hot water recirculating pump. However, a noisy pump usually means something wrong that requires a quick repair. One of the most common reasons behind a noisy circulating pump is that it got airlocked. 

This creates noise from not only the boilers but also the radiators and heating pumps. When the pump gets airlocked, the air needs to be bled out from the system, and you should be good to go. For some people, it’s too much of a hassle, and the noise is something they don’t want to be dealing with, especially because an airlocked recirculating pump is quite a common occurrence. 

It Can Save Water 

One of the biggest advantages of this kind of pump is reduced water waste. This system provides you with hot water much quicker. For example, when you want to shower, you probably first open the cabin, then turn the hot water on, but you need to wait for the remaining cold water to get pushed out before you can step in and enjoy the hot shower. 

When you use a regular recirculating pump, the hot water gets to you much quicker, and there’s no wasted cold water. However, opponents of the recirculating pump tend to say that you can use a bucket to catch the cold water and repurpose it later. It might be an easy solution to a small problem, but what feels more practical is up to you.

It Requires Little Maintenance

Another significant advantage of this type of pump is that it requires little maintenance; plus, most models come with attractive warranties. Additionally, most pumps are expected to last 10 to 15 years. The biggest factors that impact their life expectancy are the frequency of use and manufacturing quality. If everything’s been installed properly from the very beginning, you should be able to enjoy using your pump without having to worry about any issues.

You Don't Need To Install New Pipes 

Another advantage of these pumps is that, in most cases, they don't require installing new pipes or having your existing ones modified in any way. Most such pumps can use your existing pipework, so all that needs to be installed is the pump itself. It means that even if you live in an old house or apartment building, you can still use a hot water recirculating pump with no problems whatsoever.

However, while pipes shouldn’t be an issue, you might need to install additional wiring. This is because most recirculating pumps need to be plugged into an outlet. So if there’s no outlet nearby, it may be necessary to install one or rewire the pump, so it connects into something else. This can be time-consuming and cost you money.

Conclusion

A hot water recirculating pump can be a convenient tool that may help you save water, lower your water bills, and, most importantly, provide you with hot water essentially on demand. If that’s what you’re looking for, then chances are that this will be a great addition to your home. 

However, if you're not satisfied with the price tag or the possibility of having to install new wiring for the pump, you might be just fine without installing it. As always, when making a decision, make sure you research everything that concerns you and consider all advantages and disadvantages of buying this product.