hot water recirculator to reduce waste?

[chriscowles]

Somewhere on this forum I read a thread about connecting the hot water line to a cold water line, the purpose being to avoid wasting water while waiting for it to get hot at the faucet. That reduces both consumption of water and production of waste water.

If I recall correctly it involved opening a valve to recirculate water out of the heater back to the fresh water holding tank, but can't remember the details. Can someone point me to the thread? I've searched around but can't find it.

Thanks

[Lefty59]

Perhaps it's this thread:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-wh-76918.html

[chriscowles]

Yeah, that's it, thanks. It's a bit pricey. It also seems to involve continuous circulation, which results in continuous wasted heat. I'm not interested in instant hot water. Rather, I don't want to waste cold water into the holding tank while waiting for it to get hot at the tap.

If a system like this worked on demand, rather than continuously, cold water coming out of the hot line would run back into the cold line. You'd need some way to know when it was hot, since it wouldn't be flowing out for you to feel it. A thermometer, maybe?

[chriscowles]

Message #23 in the thread seems to describe what I'm looking for. Probably still to expensive to be practical for me.

[fander]

I don't like to waste water when boondocking so I put a "t" in the hot water line at the kitchen sink. I used the kitchen sink because it is furthest from the water heater. I added a small valve to the front of the sink and routed a return line to the fresh water tank. When I want hot water I just open the valve for a few seconds. I don't use it when hooked to city water as the fresh water tank would overfill and run water on the ground through the vent line.

[Evereddie]

I saw a mod that helps slow down a little the filling of you gray water tank. It helps whether boon-docking or when on sites where you have water supply but no sewer. It takes water from your gray tank and uses it to flush the toilet. It involves a tap into your gray water tank, a bypass valve for when you want to flush with city water, a simple filter, and an on-demand pump. All just hooked to your toilet. Makes a lot of sense.

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Somewhere on this forum I read a thread about connecting the hot water line to a cold water line, the purpose being to avoid wasting water while waiting for it to get hot at the faucet. That reduces both consumption of water and production of waste water.

If I recall correctly it involved opening a valve to recirculate water out of the heater back to the fresh water holding tank, but can't remember the details. Can someone point me to the thread? I've searched around but can't find it.

Thanks

Since we dry camp quite a bit, I have done this mod on the last 5 rigs we have had over the last 20 years or so. Saves lots of water. Just completed doing my Legacy motorhome. I used an electric solenoid instead of a valve this time. Works well so far. Here's where I posted the pic.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post817585

Hope this helps.

[Cleon]

you may get away with just buying the valve separate without the pump. I bought the same kit for our house. turns out i didn't need the pump. in most cases the water will naturally flow due to "gravity". there is a scientific explanation for the process but it has to with temp differential causing the flow. we now have instant hot water at the shower that used to take 3-4 min. and no noticeable hydro increase from the water heater.

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by fander

I don't like to waste water when boondocking so I put a "t" in the hot water line at the kitchen sink. I used the kitchen sink because it is furthest from the water heater. I added a small valve to the front of the sink and routed a return line to the fresh water tank. When I want hot water I just open the valve for a few seconds. I don't use it when hooked to city water as the fresh water tank would overfill and run water on the ground through the vent line.

Exactly what I have done for years on several rigs. Works perfectly.

[j free]

Take in to consideration if you use propane to heat water you will be using more with a recirculator.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by j free

Take in to consideration if you use propane to heat water you will be using more with a recirculator.

That's why I wouldn't want a continuous recirculator to get instant hot water. I am willing to sacrifice a little extra propane by using an on-demand recirculator to conserve fresh water and reduce waste water.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by captnrick3

... I used an electric solenoid instead of a valve this time. ...

Can you provide a link to a source?

Having installed the plumbing in the bathroom, is there only one switch, in that same bathroom? Or do you have multiple switches wired in parallel, one at each faucet area? (E.g., gallery and bathroom.)

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[TURBS]

Set the timer for certain times of the day .


6 am to 8 am shower and dishes
11 am to 1 pm dishes
5pm to 7 pm showers.
Then just use the majority of your hot during those times.

One way to look at it.

You can set it for one hour off 2 on 1 off 2 or whatever you like.
Obviously if your using shore power and electric element it wouldn't be so bad.

Even on all the time it doesn't run constant, only when hot water line cools enough for it to circulate.

Btw this recirculates the same water it does use any nor does it was any.


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by TURBS

... Obviously if your using shore power and electric element it wouldn't be so bad. ...

Yes, if connected to water and power I wouldn't care about wasting either. In that case continuous recirculation wouldn't be bad. It could still reduce water going into the holding tank, if not on full hookups.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

[TURBS]

Even if your not hooked to city water it does not waste any water using fw tank.
It circulates the same water.
It never uses water.



TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[TURBS]

Crude drawing coming up

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[TURBS]

This make sense now?


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[captnrick3]

Originally Posted by j free

Take in to consideration if you use propane to heat water you will be using more with a recirculator.

Each warm up uses maybe 1/2 pint of water, 2 or 3 times a day max. I would say one thimble of propane a year. Not much.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by captnrick3

Each warm up uses maybe 1/2 pint of water, 2 or 3 times a day max. I would say one thimble of propane a year. Not much.

Agreed

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

[Cleon]

i wonder if the heat loss will minimal since the water circulating back into the "cold" side of the w.h will be warm. i don't expect the extra propane use to be huge imo.