HWRP - Hot Water Recirculation Pump - Comfort System

Hot Water Comfort System by Grundfos is a hot water circulation system that eliminates cold water runoff at the faucet using a bypass valve and pump with a timer to control water flow. The Comfort System is designed to give homeowners the added comfort and convenience of instant hot water and reduce the amount of wasted water. Unlike competitor's products, there are no pumps located under sinks (and thus no power required under sinks), no need to construct special return lines, and no buttons to push. Set the timer on the Grundfos Hot Water Recirculation  (HWR) pump and stop waiting for hot water.

About Hot Water Recirculation - (HWR) - The Problem a HWR System addresses in typical plumbing is this, without a HWR Pump, hot water flows from the water heater through the pipes to the tap by the principle of a pressurized water system. Once the tap is shut off, the water remaining in the pipes cools -- hence the familiar wait for hot water the next time the tap is opened and water is usually wasted during, being run off before the hot water arrives at the hot water, point of use, plumbing fixture.

The Solution: How It Works. The Grundfos - Comfort Series - Hot Water Recirculation Pump / Timer & By-Pass Valve System offers a solution to this problem of waiting for and wasting for hot water. The system is created by attaching the low flow pump with a built-in timer to the hot water pipe at the water heater. Additionally the Comfort Series, 4 port check valve manifold, which is a thermal bypass valve, is also installed, normally at the farthest sink fixture from the water heater. The Comfort Series 4 port check valve manifold is quickly and easily retro-fitted at the faucet hot and cold water connection, under the sink. The system works by the combination of the flow from the pump, the location and the function of the thermal bypass valve, which allows use of the cold water line to also serve as the return line for recirculation.

In a hot water line that is not being recirculated to the water heater, water in the hot water pipe line will give off its heat and cool to ambient temperature. This is the water that people find they need to "run-off" and waste before showering. The operation of the Grundfos Comfort System solves this problem and works like this; the 24 hour timer control is designed to turn the circulator on and off at preset times, programmed in 15 minute intervals. The timer allows the user to select  accurate operation of the circulator, delivering instantly available hot water during desired periods of use through out the day, according to the requirements of the household.

When the system comes on to recirculate, this cooled water is pushed by the pump into the cold water line by the pump via the bypass valve, which works like a thermal “check valve” allowing water to pass thru the manifold in the direction of the designed circulation only. The cooled water is displaced by hot water being pushed into the hot water line by the pump.  Now when a faucet is turned on, warm water is instantly available for use with no wasted water.

The pump in the Comfort System Instant Hot Water System is installed at the water heater. Installing the pump at the water heater saves makes for an easier installation.  Most homes do not have an electrical receptacle under a sink, as required by some competing brands of recirculating pumps. It is usually common to have a source of electricity near-by the water heater, thus installation may be made much less expensively and faster. The Grundfos - Comfort System Pump has a grounded plug on a 10 foot long cord and only needs to be plugged in to a grounded receptacle.

A Grundfos - Comfort Series - Hot Water Recirculation Pump System - Special Features of Hot Water Recirculation The ultimate in convenience having hot water instantly available at sinks, appliances and bathroom faucets. The elimination of time spent waiting is especially convenient in areas where the installation of low flow shower heads and faucets is required by law. Improves the operating efficiency and effectiveness of household appliances including washing machines and dishwashers by having hot water available instantly, eliminating the lag time from the water heater to the appliance.  The recirculation pump can be installed by a certified contractor in two hours. For the average home, hot water recirculation systems generally cost less than $1,000, including parts and installation.

• A wet rotor design for whisper-quiet and maintenance free operation.
• Stainless steel rotor cladding and canister construction, an exclusive UP 15 series feature, ensures corrosion resistance and extended product durability. These circulators are available with various configurations including bronze housings with ½" and ¾" sweat and stainless steel housings with union connections.
• A low-watt, two-pole motor combined with low flow performance ensures minimum water heater operating costs, pipe and water heater wear and energy consumption.
• Significant water (and sewer) disposal savings, retaining the 12,000 – 38,000 gallons of water a typical U.S. home wastes annually waiting for hot water. Some fast-growing counties are making the installation of hot water recirculation pumps mandatory for all new construction projects.

The Grundfos instant hot water system comes with an 18 month limited warranty.

For the installation guide on Grundfos - Comfort Series - Hot Water Recirculation Pump System please click here.

Features and Benefits of A Grundfos Comfort System UP15-10SU7P/TLC (595916) - Hot Water Recirculation Pump System:

• No recirculation line needed, so it's much less expensive to install.
• Installs in less than one hour
• No electricity needed under the sink
• Built-in timer and 10-foot power cord set pump to run only when needed.
• Comes complete with pump, comfort valve designed exclusively for used with the Grundfos UP15-10SU7P/TLC included, which allows for connections with standard water heaters, and two (2) 1/2" FNPS X 1/2" FNPS X 12" stainless steel flex hoses.
• Additional valves are available for larger homes with multiple branch hot water lines off the water heater.
• Uses less energy than a 25-watt light bulb.
•  An extra bonus to instant hot water is that you can save up to 16,000 gallons of water per year, per household.

Grundfos - Comfort Series Pump - The Basic Concept

The Basic Concept
Every homeowner gets frustrated waiting for hot water, but how many stop to think what happens to the 2-3 gallons of water that runs down the drain during the wait?

Those gallons of water are wasted, and in an average household that takes four showers per day, that can add up to thousands of gallons per year. Multiplied over a subdivision of 300 homes, a community can have millions of gallons of water go down the drain and into the wastewater system every single year (see state-by-state water consumption and costs).

In a region where water conservation issues are rising in importance with a rapidly expanding population, and a record economic expansion that has consumers looking for comfort, Hot Water Recirculation (HWR) pumps such as those manufactured by Grundfos Pumps Corporation are a good solution to this problem.

In typical plumbing, water is pumped from the water heater through the pipes to the tap. Once the tap is shut off, the water remaining in the pipes cools, hence the familiar wait for hot water the next time the tap is opened.

Grundfos HWR pumps offer a solution to the problem by attaching to the water heater through the hot water pipe. By constantly circulating hot water through the pipes from the heater to the furthest fixture, the water in the pipes is always hot, and no water is wasted during the wait. In an average new home, HWR systems typically cost less than $1,000, including parts and installation.

• No return line required
• Installs in less than one hour
• No electricity needed under the sink
• Unique wet rotor design
• Whisper quiet operation
• Built-in timer and power cord
• Comes with two (2) 1/2" FNPS X 1/2" FNPS X 12" stainless steel flex hoses.
• Uses less energy than a 25-watt light bulb.
• Can save up to 16,000 gallons of water per year, per household.

If your project has a branched hot water piping system more than one valve manifold may be necessary. We do provide the valve for the #595916 Comfort Series - Hot Water Recirculation system as a separate part. The part number is #595926, and it may be found on our web site.

FAQs about Grundfos - Hot Water Recirculation Pump

Frequently Asked Questions about Grundfos - Comfort Series - Hot Water Recirculation Pump

Q:  What is hot water recirculation?
A:  Hot water recirculation (HWR) is the process of constantly recirculating water in a continuous hot water pipe loop through the water heater so there will be no wait for the water to warm up.

Q:  How does the water remain hot in the pipe?
A:  The pumps attach to the water heater and push hot water from the water heater  through the "hot" pipe in the house, so the water in these pipes is always hot.

Q: What if I have multiple hot water branches?
A: You will need to get an extra comfort valve for every extra branch that you have

Q: If you send the hot water back through the cold water pipes to the water heater, wouldn't you waste hot water when trying to get cold water?
A: You lose a little bit because the "cooled off" hot water dumped into the cold water line heats the cold water a little bit. This is only important if you are drawing a glass of cold water. More than 99 percent of the cold water is used for other purposes, such as cooking, cleaning, washing the car and toilet flushing. The slightly warm "cold" water is perfectly fine for all these purposes.

Q:  What is the average cost to install a HWR system in new homes?
A:  For the average home, hot water recirculation systems generally cost less than $1,000, including parts and installation.

Q:  How much does a hot water recirculation system cost to operate?
A:  The HWR uses a 2-pole motor for low energy consumption. Energy costs will vary according to local rates. The HWR pump uses between 55 watts per hour on small UP models and up to 85 watts per hour on larger models. The average annual cost to operate the pump will be less than $20 per year.

Q:  How does this hot water recirculation system ensure water resources are used most efficiently?
A:  The system conserves water by providing hot water immediately – as soon as the hot water tap is turned on – and prevents the unnecessary waste of gallons of cold water down the drain with the ultimate convenience.

Q:  How much water will the pump save?
A:  The average household wastes 27 - 105 gallons of water per day waiting for hot water. That adds to more than 12,000 – 38,000 gallons of water saved annually per installation, depending on the size of the water pipe and the frequency of use. There is also an indirect benefit to communities where HWR is in wide use because of reduced wear and tear on municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

Q:  Can the pump be used with either gas or electric water heaters?
A:  Yes.

Q:  Does the HWR Comfort System work with a tankless water heater; either gas or electric?
A:  No.

Q:  Can the hot water recirculation system be installed in any home?
A:  Yes. The HWR can be installed in any home or building, however, the installation is a bit different for new construction versus retrofit.

Q:  Are the materials used to make the supply pumps safe and won't contaminate the water?
A:  The pumps are made of stainless steel for corrosion resistance, and are thus safe.

Q:  How frequently will the pump need to be changed?
A:  The pumps have built-in motor protection for long life and the life span is estimated at 10 years.

Q:  How will the pumps be serviced?
A:  No service is required. Should the pump fail while under warranty, it will be replaced.

Q:  Is this system approved by the building industry?
A:  Grundfos pumps are rated or approved by several agencies worldwide. UL, CSA, cUL and CE are the most common approvals.

Q:  As demand for hot water and efficient use of water increases, will systems like this become commonplace?
A:  Yes. With water conservation issues increasing in importance, and significant population growth estimated over the next 20 years, water is becoming a precious resource. At some point, it is likely that these types of recirculation systems will be installed in every new home as a standard.

Q:  Can this system be used in commercial buildings as well as for housing?
A:  Yes. This system can be used in any type of building.

Q:  Are there different models of this HWR pump available?
A:  Yes. Depending upon the application, the basic models are UP15-10 ( the pump offered here), UP15-18, UP15-42, and UP25-64. These models are available in constructions of bronze or stainless steel with optional timer and line cords.

Hot Water Recirculation and Water Savings

 Hot Water Recirculation - Water Savings