Hot Water Recirculation Pumps.

Topics
 Scenario.
 How a recirculation Pump works.
 History of recirculation Pumps.
 Latest technology.

2
 Scenario.

We get up in the morning and we turn on the

hot water to take a shower.
we put our hand into the stream of water to
check the temperature, and it is cold.
We may wait for a full 60 seconds, or longer,
before we can step in and take our
shower.
Why??
We don’t have a recirculation pump!
3
 Scenario.
Dead end piping

Traditional non-recirculated system Traditional non-recirculated system

Normal Hot Water Operation: Normal Hot Water Operation:

Last hot water use at night time around Following morning at 7:00am
11:00pm

Water heater output: Water heater output:

130°F Hot Water None – Existing water cools to 60°F
DHW Pipe run: DHW Pipe run:
WH 100 feet ¾” Copper Pipe
WH 100 feet ¾” Copper Pipe
 Scenario.
 Residence is three bedroom with four occupants and two baths.
 Water heater is approximately 60’ from master bedroom
 Hot water supply line from water heater is un-insulated ¾” copper
pipe
 Assume the following volume of hot water wasted per day:
 Master lavatory1.5 gal fixture 2.625 gal wasted/day
 Second bathroom lavatory 1.5 gal fixture 7.5 gal wasted/day
 Master Shower 2.5 gal fixture 15 gal wasted/day
 Second bathroom shower 2.5 gal fixture 2.625 gal wasted/day
 Kitchen Sink 2.5 gal fixture 12.5 gal wasted/day
• Water consumption is based on the system operating 350 days per year
• Total water wasted in a year is 14,087 gallons based on total water
wasted of 40.25 gallons per day
 Scenario.
 How Much Water is 14,000
Gallons?
 Scenario.
Return line added with Circulator.

System with hot water recirculation

Normal Hot Water Operation:

Following morning at 7:00am

 60psi

WH
How a pump works
SYSTEM CURVE
Recirculation pump with ECM technology
Standard Induction Motors
ECM ( Electrically Commutated Motor) Technology
 Induction Vs Permanent Magnet
 Induction Motor
 No magnet on rotor
• Stator coils create magnetic
field which induces current
into rotor
• The rotor currents interact
with the rotating magnetic
field which causes a
rotational motion on the
rotor.
• Because the magnetic and
electric fields are out of
phase (slip), there are
greater current
requirements and current
losses.
 Permanent Magnet Motor
 Permanent magnet on rotor
Eliminates the requirement for input
power to magnetize rotor
Stator coils generate a rotating field
to induce the permanent magnet to
rotate
Motor is microprocessor controlled
to keep the stator current in phase
with the magnets of the rotor.
The lower current requirement
and no “slip” result in greater
efficiency.
Comparison: Spherical Motor vs. Canned Motor

Key Advantages

• Simplicity – just one high precision part

• No shaft, no bearing bushings

• Self-aligning rotor

• Long term quiet and trouble free operation

• No start-up problems
SYSTEM CURVE
 System Curve

System
Curve
S
y
s
t
e
m

C
u
r
v
e
 Recirculation pump with ECM technology
Variable speed option can reduce smallest pump energy consumption even further..

e3-4 10

Head (FT)
System 6 System
10
Curve Curve
4
5

2 2

1 2 3 4 5 6
Flow (GPM) Flow (GPM)

Duty Point 5 Watts Duty Point 40 Watts

88% LESS ENERGY CONSUMPTION

 One Switch - Two Options
 Every ECM circulator has a switch installed- you
have the choice
A. Variable Speed Control
B. Variable Temperature Control(68 to 158 Deg.F.)

Variable Variable
Speed Temperature
Control Control

NEED
PIC
 Options
 Most pumps come standard with constant speed.
 Power cords are sometimes optional.
 Variable speed.
 Temperature control.
 Time clocks
What if I don’t have a return line?
Autocirc 14 watts
 But I have a Tankless water heater
 Sizing a pump for Tankless water heaters is the
same as a tank type. However, a larger pump
will be needed as the Tankless units have a heat
exchanger inside that produces a higher pressure
drop.
Questions?