Improving hot water performance
 

MC wrote:

I'd be glad to hear of people with experience with relevant upgrades to their hot water system...

In my house, the water heater (which is ample and in good condition), the washing machine, and the dishwasher are at one end of the house. The bathrooms are at the other end of the house, about 50 feet away.

My problem is that on cold mornings, the water cools back down as it's going through the cold pipes, and it's hard to get a warm bath. It's especially hard to *add* a bit of hot water to an already drawn bathtub-full, because the water standing in the pipes gets very cold.

I'm wondering if I should...

(1) add a tankless water heater near the bathrooms? (In the hot water line, to supplement it, or in a cold water line, to work by itself?)

(2) add some kind of recirculation of hot water?

I've seen a recirculating gadget that connects to the existing plumbing under a sink; the idea is to let some of your hot water go into your cold water line and cycle back to the hot water heater. Does it work? I would be a bit afraid that the cold water would come out hot when this thing was in place, but maybe the valves take care of that.

I'm also aware of more elaborate recirculators with pumps, their own pipes leading back to the hot water heater, etc.

Any experiences, anyone?


The simplest is to turn up the temp on the hot water cylinder. More
options:
http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index....Water_Capacity

or if youre really strapped for cash:
http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index...._Water_Systems
:)


NT

Improving hot water performance
 

In article , wrote:
MC wrote:

I'd be glad to hear of people with experience with relevant upgrades to t=
heir hot water system...

In my house, the water heater (which is ample and in good condition), the=
washing machine, and the dishwasher are at one end of the house. The bath=
rooms are at the other end of the house, about 50 feet away.

My problem is that on cold mornings, the water cools back down as it's go=
ing through the cold pipes, and it's hard to get a warm bath. It's especia=
lly hard to *add* a bit of hot water to an already drawn bathtub-full, beca=
use the water standing in the pipes gets very cold.

I'm wondering if I should...

(1) add a tankless water heater near the bathrooms? (In the hot water li=
ne, to supplement it, or in a cold water line, to work by itself?)

(2) add some kind of recirculation of hot water?

I've seen a recirculating gadget that connects to the existing plumbing u=
nder a sink; the idea is to let some of your hot water go into your cold wa=
ter line and cycle back to the hot water heater. Does it work? I would be=
a bit afraid that the cold water would come out hot when this thing was in=
place, but maybe the valves take care of that.

I'm also aware of more elaborate recirculators with pumps, their own pipe=
s leading back to the hot water heater, etc.

Any experiences, anyone?


The simplest is to turn up the temp on the hot water cylinder. More
options:
http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index....Water_Capacity

or if youre really strapped for cash:
http://www.wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index...._Water_Systems

Insulating pipes is the first step, unless you use a local heater. I thought they
used to make local heaters for some sinks and stuff to raise the temperature. ??

greg

Improving hot water performance
 

On Jan 14, 7:55*am, (GregS) wrote:
Insulating pipes is the first step, unless you use a local heater. I thought they
used to make local heaters for some sinks and stuff to raise the temperature. ??

Yes, you can get those. In theory they use less energy.

Improving hot water performance
 

In article , WDS wrote:
On Jan 14, 7:55=A0am, (GregS) wrote:
Insulating pipes is the first step, unless you use a local heater. I thou=
ght they
used to make local heaters for some sinks and stuff to raise the temperat=
ure. ??

Yes, you can get those. In theory they use less energy.

And I wasn't talking about a full heater, just a buffer. Just like they also add
extra heat in dishwashers.

greg