ᐅ Hot water circulation pump

Created on: 23 May 2015 10:19
L
Legurit
Hello everyone,

Our heating engineer said he would usually install a circulation pump, but it could also be omitted. Operating costs would be about 30–50 € per year, and he estimated that it would need to be replaced every 6 years.
Of course, we don’t want to wait 30 seconds for the first warm water. He also mentioned that he can reduce the pipe diameter to somewhat lower the wait time.
Does anyone have experience with these pumps – from what pipe length or distance would you recommend installing one?

Another topic was the ventilation of the utility room, bathroom, and kitchen – he said it might be possible to install an air admittance valve (also known as a "mushroom valve" or similar) to avoid venting through the roof. Does anyone know about this? Does it cause any odors? I find that hard to imagine.

Thanks and best regards.
K
klblb
23 May 2015 21:11
Leave a free pipe section of about 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) where you install the circulation pump, after the inspector has finished. It is also possible to do everything overly precisely...
L
Legurit
23 May 2015 21:23
We read a bit more on the pink forum – apparently, with a ground-source heat pump, circulation pumps can cause significant operational losses. I think we will try to do without them.
S
Sebastian79
23 May 2015 21:32
Reasoning or what kind of losses? That it cycles? You read too much.

Above all, efficiency can be overdone – comfort is more important. Use it with a timer program, and that’s fine.
L
Legurit
23 May 2015 21:51
No, it's more about the brine-water heat pump – the heat pump experts say it cycles too frequently. Especially if you only want to heat the domestic hot water when the sun is shining (using photovoltaic electricity).

But okay – if I can also install that later, it would be worth trying out at first.
B
Bauexperte
24 May 2015 01:32
Good evening,
Lexmaul79 schrieb:

I wouldn’t build without such a pump – it’s an essential comfort feature…
I’m asking deliberately to provoke: what is the purpose of a recirculation line? When I wash my hands, I don’t really care if the water is cold or warm; the same applies when brushing my teeth. For filling the sink, I also mix hot and cold water. Then there is the shower and the bathtub – as soon as the water gets too hot for me, I add cold water. Overall, it makes no difference whether cold water runs first and gradually heats up, or warm water flows directly and I temper it by adding cold water. Therefore, I can’t see any disadvantage in not having a recirculation line.

Where is my line of thought mistaken?

Regards, Bauexperte
S
Sebastian79
24 May 2015 08:07
People are different – although so far, I seem to only know people who find cold water annoying.

You can do everything with cold water – 500 years ago, nobody even thought about hot water for washing.

But I don’t like rinsing my mouth with cold water. I also dislike letting the shower run for 30 seconds or more before I can get in. I often prefer to wash my hands with warm water – and in the kitchen, hot water is necessary anyway (especially during the first years with a small child).

And every time I’m supposed to waste precious water that would be warm immediately with a circulation pump? The energy consumption is offset by a photovoltaic system – a nice, large storage tank that heats during the day. Completely free of charge...

As I said, tastes differ and no one has to do it – but for us, it’s a comfort feature we wouldn’t want to be without.