Hot Water Recirculation Pumps.

Tim Pehl
Outside Sales Rep For Dawson
Company.
 Topics
Scenario.
How a recirculation Pump works.
History of recirculation Pumps.
Latest technology.

2
 Scenario.

We get up in the morning and we turn on the

hot water to take a shower.
we put our hand into the stream of water to
check the temperature, and it is cold.
We may wait for a full 60 seconds, or longer,
before we can step in and take our
shower.
Why??
We dont have a recirculation pump!
3
 Scenario.
Dead end piping

Traditional non-recirculated system Traditional non-recirculated system

Normal Hot Water Operation: Normal Hot Water Operation:

Last hot water use at night time around Following morning at 7:00am
11:00pm

Water heater output: Water heater output:

130F Hot Water None Existing water cools to 60F
DHW Pipe run: DHW Pipe run:
WH 100 feet Copper Pipe
WH 100 feet Copper Pipe
 Scenario.
Residence is three bedroom with four occupants and two baths.
Water heater is approximately 60 from master bedroom
Hot water supply line from water heater is un-insulated copper
pipe
Assume the following volume of hot water wasted per day:
Master lavatory1.5 gal fixture2.625 gal wasted/day
Second bathroom lavatory 1.5 gal fixture7.5 gal wasted/day
Master Shower 2.5 gal fixture15 gal wasted/day
Second bathroom shower 2.5 gal fixture2.625 gal wasted/day
Kitchen Sink 2.5 gal fixture12.5 gal wasted/day
Water consumption is based on the system operating 350 days per year
Total water wasted in a year is 14,087 gallons based on total water
wasted of 40.25 gallons per day
 Scenario.
How Much Water is 14,000 Gallons?
 Scenario.
Return line added with Circulator.

System with hot water recirculation

Normal Hot Water Operation:

Following morning at 7:00am

60psi

WH
How a pump works
SYSTEM CURVE
Recirculation pump with ECM technology
Standard Induction Motors
ECM ( Electrically Commutated Motor) Technology
 Induction Vs Permanent Magnet
Induction Motor
No magnet on rotor
Stator coils create magnetic
field which induces current
into rotor
The rotor currents interact
with the rotating magnetic
field which causes a
rotational motion on the
rotor.
Because the magnetic and
electric fields are out of
phase (slip), there are
greater current
requirements and current
losses.
Permanent Magnet Motor
Permanent magnet on rotor
Eliminates the requirement for input
power to magnetize rotor
Stator coils generate a rotating field
to induce the permanent magnet to
rotate
Motor is microprocessor controlled
to keep the stator current in phase
with the magnets of the rotor.
The lower current requirement
and no slip result in greater
efficiency.
Comparison: Spherical Motor vs. Canned Motor

Key Advantages

Simplicity just one high precision part

No shaft, no bearing bushings

Self-aligning rotor

Long term quiet and trouble free operation

No start-up problems
SYSTEM CURVE
 System Curve

System
Curve
S
y
s
t
e
m

C
u
r
v
e
 Recirculation pump with ECM technology
Variable speed option can reduce smallest pump energy consumption even further..

e3-4 10

Head (FT)
8

System 6 System
10
Curve Curve
4
5

2 2

1 2 3 4 5 6
Flow (GPM) Flow (GPM)

Duty Point 5 Watts Duty Point 40 Watts

88% LESS ENERGY

CONSUMPTION
 One Switch - Two Options
Every ECM circulator has a switch installed- you
have the choice
A. Variable Speed Control
B. Variable Temperature Control(68 to 158 Deg.F.)

Variable Variable
Speed Temperature
Control Control

NEED
PIC
 Options
Most pumps come standard with constant speed.
Power cords are sometimes optional.
Variable speed.
Temperature control.
Time clocks
What if I dont have a return line?
Autocirc 14 watts
 But I have a Tankless water heater
Sizing a pump for Tankless water heaters is the
same as a tank type. However, a larger pump will
be needed as the Tankless units have a heat
exchanger inside that produces a higher pressure
drop.
Questions?