Timer for Recirculating pump

Andy_17

Had a Knight 8o & Indirect tank w/ recirculating line installed last year, Love It!
Would like to improve the gas usage a little more, by installing a timer on the recirculating pump. Is there any down side to installing a 7 day timer w/ multiple on/ off settings? IE- 6-9Am on, 9am-5pm off, 6-10pm on ETC. Figure might as well squeeze a little more efficiency out of the system.
Thanks

Big Ed_4

Timer and System Loss

Setting a timer to charge the lines on peak demands is a good way to save. And Insulating the lines are also needed to save energy and meet Federal energy codes .

Alan(OnVacationInOregon)Forbes

The only downside

that I can think of is waking up at 5 am (or any other "off" hour) and have to wait for the hot water.

Doug_7

Timer or Motion Sensor ?

Another method of control is a motion sensor (or switch) to turn the DHW recirculation pump ON. Would need a motion sensor located wherever you need instant hot water - like at a shower but not necessarily at a sink. See:

http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Plumbing/hot-water-recirculation

or google: hot water recirculation motion sensor.

Constant DHW recirculation wastes electricity to run the pump and wears out the pump - but more importantly it wastes heat that is emitted from the constantly hot pipes.

Which control method is best depends on your situation.

Doug

mtfallsmikey

How about

A nice 7-day programmable timer, like the Intermatic ET-1700 series..can support up to 14 events daily.

paul_79

pump timer

i have had good luck with the grudfos UP10-16 recirculation pump it has a built in timer and a aquastat