Chilipepper Hot Water Circulator?

[Metagirrl]

Has anyone ever heard of this unit, or installed one?

Our plumbing runs through the slab, and it takes FOREVER to get hot water in the kitchen sink. I hate wasting the water down the drain, so I often catch it in a pitcher, but it's a pain.


http://www.chilipepperapp.com/Default.htm

What do you think of this solution? It basically backfeeds the water from the "hot" line into the "cold" line until it reaches a certain temperature. That way water isn't headed down the drain.

I have researched these types of recirculation systems & the chilipepper is one I'm considering buying . The only con I have read about the chilipepper is some people think it is loud when running . Since it only runs when you push the button , I don't think that would be a problem for me . I don't care much for the systems that basically run all the time . My first choice would be a ( redytemp ) but it costs quite a bit more . I still haven't decided wheather to buy the chilipepper or spend more & buy the redytemp .

[Micahn]

Never seen one of that brand before but have installed many others over the years. They do work good.
The best system is to have it installed right when your building and have a dedicated line run for it. Then you can use any pump you want. We used the same pumps that we used for solar systems if it was a large home with it pulling the hot water to every fixture.

The main down side with these things is your cost of heating water will go up. If your system is keeping the hot water moving threw your lines then it is always cooling the water. But if you planned it from the start and insulated the lines then the lose would be very little.

[Metagirrl]

Now I'm looking at this one too, by Grundfos.

http://www.earthtoys.com/emagazine.p...le=recirculate

Advantage: Only one pump, to be mounted at the water heater. Valves can be mounted under the sinks, requiring no wiring or power. It has a programmable timer, so you don't have to hit a button.

My plumbing was not done with loops, it runs through the slab with no insulation.

[artificer]

The problem with the grundfoss pump, or any other pump mounted away from the faucet is that you will no longer have cold water. You now have the opposite problem. The lukewarm water goes back through the cold line, so you get lukewarm to hot water out of the cold faucet until you purge the line.

With the push button system, you are the one to determine if you want hot or cold water. If you want hot water, you probably don't want cold at the same time. There will probably be times, however, that someone wants a cold drink just after you asked for hot water. Not highly likely, but something to think about.


The best solution, if you can manage it, is to run a 3rd back to the water heater. With the lines in the slab, building layout will determine if you can do it.

How many faucets are you thinking of doing this to?

Michael

[Metagirrl]

I'd like to run it to two bathrooms and the kitchen. I see your point about wanting "cold water" Maybe I'll just keep a pitcher in the fridge. I can say that it's much more common for me to want warm water than cold... I don't really care if the toilet flushes lukewarm

The plumbing is run like spokes to each bathroom and the kitchen... are you suggesting a line from just the hot water side back to the water heater?