Hot Water Recirc Pump Switch

Ted Keane

I saw where somone put an electric eye beam sensor in their master bathroom,so that when somone walks into the bathroom it senses them and turns on the domestic hot water recirculating pump.That way the pump doesn't have to run 24/7.Has anyone heard about this?And where can I get some info on the electric sensor?My neighbor is building a new house and is interested in this.Thanks,and have a great 4th of July.

Bill Nye

You could

do that or, ... most pumps are available with a clock. You can set it to be on during those periods you are most likely to use hot water. The worst thing that could happen is if you needed hot water when the pump was off you might have to wait 30 seconds for hot water.

The eye beam , maybe you could find one at Radio Shack or an alarm system store? Must be something a clever electronics guy dreamed up.

Brian (Tankless)

Occupancy sensors

from Leviton (and others) work perfectly.

It's basically a motion sensor, to replace a regular switch.

I have an electrical customer who switched his bathroom door opening from left to right, this almost obscured the light switch, but not quite. I replaced the regular switch with one of these. It has on-off-auto (but NO DIMMER).

Make sure you get one that will switch INDUCTIVE loads, E.I.(motors).

You'll find them in the lighting oe electrical section at HD or Lowes (but don't buy your boilers or other TABOO items there :O)

Brian, ElectroPlumb in Swampland.

Larry Weingarten

Try...

www.gothotwater.com . This system is far more efficient than conventional recirc and can be switched lots of ways. Look in "accessories".

Van

Tie it in with the light switch

so that whenever light in bath is turned on, recirc starts. Get a thermostat on circ (Laing makes one) and you are all set. I set up mine like this and it works like a champ!