Best Hot Water Recirculation Pump

Our team independently selects, reviews, and identifies the best products. We may earn affiliate commissions on purchases made from links on this page. Read about our links here. This post was updated on July 13, 2024

Hot water could be expensive, but it doesn’t always have to be that way month after month. You can make your water heater more efficient, cut down the power bills, and always get hot water on demand every month.

All you have to do is to invest in the best hot water recirculation pump.

The purpose of a hot water circulation pump is to get hot water from a heater to a faucet on demand. It also returns unused water from the faucet back to its system, keeps it in a hot state, and then serves it hot whenever you need it the most.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about hot water recirculation pumps. In particular, we’ll look at what they’re, how they work, types, and the best models to buy.

In a hurry? Here’s a list of the best circulation pumps that can get you hot water on demand without costing you a lot in annual electricity bills.

  • Grundfos 99452459 Instant Hot Water Comfort Recirculation
  • Watts Premier Instant Hot Water Recirculating Pump System
  • Taco 006-B4 Bronze Circulator Pump 3/4-Inch Sweat

What is a Hot Water Recirculation Pump?

A water recirculation pump is a system designed to provide hot water on demand. It cuts down the waiting time to zero and supplies hot water the very moment you open a tap or faucet.

They can work with cold water lines as well as their dedicated lines and give you the same water heating effect.

Every hot water recirculation pump features a motion sensor, which activates every time you turn your water on. They also have temperature sensors, which are helpful in keeping water hot for as long as the pump is active.

Overall, water recirculation pumps help with water conservation. They can cut down your electricity and water bill. And they ensure you always get hot water instantly.

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How Does Hot Water Recirculation Pump Work? 

The work of a water recirculation pump is to keep hot water circulating through all the pipes from which you would like to get hot water.

It creates a loop between a faucet and a water heater. It then draws back hot water that hasn’t been used, keeps it, and then delivers in a second when you turn on the tap.

The best thing about a water recirculation pump is that it helps to save you time and money. First, you don’t have to wait for water to get hot.

The pump helps you to get that in an instant. Second, you don’t have to waste cold water as you wait for electricity to heat up the water, so you save money in the process.

If anything, the best water recirculation pump is the solution that helps you to be as economical as possible with your water system.

Types of Water Recirculation Pumps

There are three types of hot water recirculation pumps based on the mode of operation. These are time activated, always on, and temperature activated circulation pumps. 

1. Time Activated Recirculation Pumps

A time activated pumpfeatures a customizable time, which you can tweak to suit your needs. In practice, you can program this unit to turn on and off automatically depending on when you need hot water supply.

For the best results, consider programming the unit to start at least 60 minutes before anyone come home.

A time activated circulation pump doesn’t work the whole day and therefore it can save energy. The problem with this system is that you cannot be sure if water will be hot outside the settings that you implement. 

2. Always-on Recirculation Pumps

An always-on recirculation pump may not be the most efficient on the basis that you have to turn it on manually to get it to work. But it works well, and often is a good option for those who are looking for a cost effective recirculation pump to get hot water on demand.

Given that this pump is always going to be on, it’s quite effective in reducing water waste to a great degree, not to mention you never have to wait for more than a second for hot water to arrive.

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3. Temperature Activated Recirculation Pump

This unit monitors the temperature level of the water in your plumbing system. In practice, it’s suitable for maintain the heat of water to a certain set limit.

If the pump detects that the temperature level of water has dropped, it will activate, heat the water, and keep it hot again.

The pump shuts off automatically as soon as water temperatures rise above the preset limit. That way, you save the most energy, which in turn means a reduction in your annual water and electricity bills.

Best Hot Water Recirculation Pumps Reviewed

1. Watts Premier Instant Hot Water Recirculating Pump System

Watts Premier water recirculation pump features a 24-hourd timer, making it a good option for conserving energy because it works only when necessary.

Because this system works based on a zero flow mechanism, you end up using less electricity every time the pump is in use.

Even better, the sensor valves of Watts Premier don’t need electricity to operate. And since the system keeps water that comes from the faucet at 150 degrees, you do get hot water on demand, no questions asked.

With Watts Premier, you can save up to 15,000 gallons of water every year, which means you’ll only end up spending only about $0.5 a day to run your plumbing system.

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Pros

  • Easy to install. It takes only an hour to complete the job
  • Includes a timer, which activates the unit only when require
  • Quiet system. It won’t vibrate when it’s operating

Cons

  • Can’t handle the pressure of tankless water heaters
  • You have to wait for about 5 seconds for hot water to come from the faucet

2. Grundfos 99452459 Instant Hot Water Comfort Recirculation

Grundfos 99452459 is water recirculation pump that doesn’t need a return line because it has an integrated Retrofit solution.

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Thanks to the thermostatically controlled comfort valve, this recirculation pump can easily regulate the flow of water from the hot to the cold line. It also features a customizable digital timer, which helps to pull water that you wish to heat and recirculate.

Grundfos takes durability seriously, which is why they’ve used stainless steel to build this pump. What’s more? The model includes a display unit that makes it easy for you to set the temperature to which you would like to heat the water and the time you’d like to do that.

It comes with batteries as power backup. So even when power goes out at the time you least expect, Grundfos 99452459 will ensure you still get hot water on demand.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Gets you hot water on demand
  • Batteries included as power backup if power goes out
  • Saves up to 12,000 gallons of water every year

Cons 

  • Can’t handle a lot of pressure 

3. Taco 006-B4 Bronze Circulator Pump 3/4-Inch Sweat

Taco 006-B4 is a hot water recirculation pump with a higher output. Its compact design, quiet operation, and a maximum pressure output of 125-PSI make it one of the most powerful pumps on the market right now.

This water recirculation pump can circulate hot and cold water in closed and open loop, which is why it doesn’t have a temperature control option. So if you must adjust the heat level of water, you will have to buy and install a thermostat separately.

Taco 006-B4 is made of premium bronze, a robust material for strength and durability. Note that it doesn’t come with a power cord, so you will have to spend a few extra bucks to get a compatible cord.

Pros

  • Easy to install and it works quietly
  • Gives you hot water on demand
  • The cartridge are easy to replace

Cons

  • Power cord not included in the package
  • Unit gets hot when used continuously for an extended period 

We hope this guide helps you make an informed decision on the best hot water recirculation pump to get. Whether you need hot water from the kitchen faucet or from the showerhead, a recirculation pump will make sure you get it on demand.

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