Is a bridge valve enough or do I need recirculating pump?

georgearoush · March 13

In a large house, it can take up to two minutes for hot water to reach the faucet. I researched this online and found mixed opinions — some suggest that a bridge valve alone is sufficient, while others recommend using a recirculating pump as well. Can you help clarify which solution would be most effective and the pros and cons of each? Thanks

EBEBRATT-Ed · March 14

Usually a recirc pump is what most use.

hot_rod · March 14

if you don’t have a dedicated return line from the farthest fixture, you can put a valve that connects the hot and cold under the sink. Then the hot recirculates back through the cold line.

Is that the bridge valve you are talking about?

It does require a pump. The pump could be on a timer, a motion detection, or a door switch. No need to run it 24/7

Intplm. · March 14

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1848287#Comment_1848287

I did this when I remodeled my house when those who lived there complained that it "takes too long for the hot water to get there". It didn't, but I installed this and the complaints stopped. I now have three of those little black bypass valve under three different sinks in my house.

You will notice when using this some hot water coming out from the cold side when you first turn on the adjoining faucet. That's the little black bypass valve working when the pumps timer calls for recirculation.

Its a great invention, and would recommend it if the hot water isn't getting there soon enough. It can also save on water consumption.

Larry Weingarten · March 14

Hi, Demand controlled pumping is another way to go. If there is no recirc line, the pump would be installed under a sink, furthest from the water heater. It only runs whan you ask it to, or by using a motion sensor. It's the most efficient approach for saving energy and water, but isn't cheap up front. 🤔

Yours, Larry

georgearoush · March 15

Based on what I’ve read online, it seems I also need to install a pump. However, a pump isn’t an ideal solution in my case. A timer on the pump won’t work because our hot water usage is irregular, and using a motion detector to activate the pump would still result in a wait time of up to 2 minutes for the hot water to arrive.

hot_rod · March 16

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1848507#Comment_1848507

the pump will move water 4 feet per second. So water will arrive quickly once you fire the pump

Larry Weingarten · March 16

Hi, I'll add that there are wireless remotes. You can put them around, so just tap one when you know you're going to want hot water.

Yours, Larry

Is a bridge valve enough or do I need recirculating pump?

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