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Author:
Medic8 (FL)
New house in South Florida, electric water heater w/o expansion tank. We had cold and luke-warm water. Plumber added recirculating pump to hot water return line. He then tapped THAT into cold water inlet with one-way valve to prevent flow into cold water system and another one-way valve to prevent water going back into hot water return pipe. Now, we have NO cold water, warm floors in certain parts of the house - floors were not warm before the recirc pump. We came back from vacation to pressure relief valve trickling water. That was replaced.
I could not find a cross-over pump under any sink. Plumber says it’s not crossed pipe….well then what is it?
Recirculating pump temp is 135 degrees and hot to touch. Hot water from all faucets is about 120 degrees and “cold” water is 95 degrees. Hot water from water heater is coming out at 95 degrees at the pipe despite being set at 125 degrees.
Our elec bill was over $550 for one month. Why do we not have cold water?
I think excess pressure may be over-riding one way valve and hot water is forcing its way into cold water system. Any ideas?
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Author:
Medic8 (FL)
I've been doing more experimenting and research. Recirc pump has been off and only used when needed. Warm floors are gone and we have cold water again.
SO I am thinking I could use a pressure switch to turn the recirculating pump on and off, activating when a faucet opens and the pressure drops, similar to a well pump. It would shut off recirculating pump when pressure is equalized when faucet is closed....
Or should I get rid of the recirculating pump and go with a flow regulated pump that turns the water pump on and off depending on when a faucet is turned on or off?
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Author:
packy (MA)
you don't need a pump when the faucet is open.
the pump is meant to run when the faucet is closed.
the only type of switch that makes sense is a motion detector switch.
you walk into the bathroom and the pump activates. by the time you get to turn the faucet on the hot water will be there.
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Author:
Medic8 (FL)
Thank you so much for your comments.
I don't want the hot water running constantly through the pipes. My electric bill was $560 and I don't need radiant floor heating in Florida.
I think I am going to go with a pump that comes on when I turn the faucet ON and stops when I turn it OFF.
I have 13 faucets that I would have to make accommodations for if I try doing it for each outlet.
Edited 1 times.
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