RECIRCULATION Would you like to get into hot water faster?

Costs range from more than $400 to thousands, depending on the system.
By JAMES and MORRIS CAREY
ASSOCIATED PRESS
When you turn on the faucet in your house, do you find yourself waiting for a minute or more before hot water arrives?
Here's something that will save you money, make your life more comfortable, eliminate waiting at faucets and showers and that is unbelievably inexpensive to purchase and install.
The reason we find ourselves waiting for warm water is simple. Hot water that was left in the pipes the last time the faucet was used began cooling down as soon as the water was turned off. Time elapsed since the use of the warm water allows cooling to occur.
What if the water in the pipe was made to always stay warm? What if water is hot the moment the faucet is turned on -- at every faucet in the house -- every time? Water no longer would be wasted while you wait for it to warm up, and there would no longer be chilled fingertips and annoying waiting at the sink or shower.
All you have to do to solve the problem is to circulate the water in the hot water line between the fixture (sink, tub, shower, etc.) and the water heater. The process is called hot water recirculation.
Until recently, this process had been somewhat expensive. We have spent the last decade testing all kinds of recirculation systems. Not until now has recirculation truly been simple and affordable.
Here are the basics
There are four basic kinds of hot water recirculation systems:
UPassive circulation through a second hot water return line.
This system utilizes a second hot water line to create a loop in the hot water side of the system between the water heater and all the plumbing fixtures in the house. With this system, a hot water line is run across the attic before it's sent down to feed the plumbing fixture farthest from the water heater. The pipe in the attic slopes upward as it travels away from the water heater. Hot water therein naturally -- and slowly -- rises upward through the pipe in the attic and to the fixture at the other end. The pressure created forces cooled water back to the water heater through a second hot water line located beneath the floor. No pump is used with this system. Water circulates naturally. This system is most economical to install in new construction.
UPumped circulation through a second hot water return line.
This one utilizes a pump in addition to a second hot water line to create the circulation loop. The pump eliminates the need for the second hot water line to be installed in the attic, allowing both lines to be installed beneath the floor (easier to install). This system also is most economical to install in new construction.
UPumped circulation through a crossover valve (pump at fixture).
This system utilizes a one-piece combination pump and crossover valve installed between the hot and cold water lines (at the fixture farthest from the water heater). The crossover valve takes the place of a second hot water line by allowing cooled water to be returned to the water heater through the current cold water supply line.
A check valve within the crossover prevents cold water from backing up into the hot water system. A second hot water line thus is rendered unnecessary. This is especially important once a house has already been built because major piping -- after the fact -- can cost a lot.
The fixture farthest from the water heater is selected as the point of installation for the crossover so that instant hot water can be enjoyed at all fixtures located directly between the water heater and the fixture where the crossover is installed. The pump operates on 110 volts, thus a receptacle must be available.
Of the two crossover types, this one is more expensive. Be prepared to spend about $1,000 -- $450 or so for the unit itself, plus the cost of the electrical outlet and the plumber.
A problem: If one unit won't do the trick for all the fixtures in the home (many homes require two or more), count on spending another $1000 per location. Remember, with a combination pump-crossover system, each additional location must have an outlet.
UPumped circulation through a crossover valve (pump at water heater).
This system is identical to the previous one except for one important thing. With this system, the pump and crossover are not connected. This allows the pump to be centrally located at the water heater (only one pump in the system), while the crossover is installed at the fixture farthest from the water heater.
Expect to pay about $425 for this system, fully installed. A 110-volt outlet is required at the water heater location to power the pump. In our experience, we've observed that there usually is an outlet next to the water heater that can be used for this purpose. If one location won't do it, a second crossover can be added for about $65.
A twin hot water line system can add $2,000 or more to the cost of a new home. If an attempt is made to add the second hot water line after a home has been completed, installation cost could jump to $4,000, or more.
So, for folks who want to retrofit a system, the crossover type works best and is least expensive. We really can't imagine why anyone would want to spend $2,000 on a twin system when a crossover can be installed for one-fourth the cost.
XFor more home improvement tips and information, visit www.onthehouse.com on the Web.