Never Wait for Hot Water Again: Why You Might Want a Recirculation Pump

Retrofit Hot Water Recirculation System

Ever find yourself standing at the sink or shower, waiting… and waiting… for hot water to arrive? You’re not alone. In many homes—especially older ones—it can take a minute or more for hot water to travel from the water heater to your faucet. All that waiting wastes both time and clean water.

Fortunately, there’s a solution that doesn’t require remodeling your whole home: a hot water recirculation system.

💧 What’s a Hot Water Recirculation System?

These systems keep hot water circulating gently through your plumbing so it’s readily available when you need it—no long wait, and no gallons going down the drain.

While some new homes are built with a dedicated recirculation line, most existing homes are not. Adding one would mean opening up walls and running new pipe—a major project. Instead, we recommend retrofittable systems that use your cold water line as a return path, giving you the benefit of faster hot water without invasive work.

🔧 Our Go-To Solutions

At DBS Plumbing Solutions, we typically recommend either the:

• Grundfos UP15-10SU7P Comfort System, or the

• Watts Heat H2O Hot Water Recirculation System

Both are reliable, plumber-approved options that work great in most homes with a traditional tank-style water heater. We’re happy to help you select the one that’s the best fit for your layout, fixtures, and hot water usage habits.

✅ Common Features & Benefits

Regardless of which model you choose, both systems offer:

• Quick installation – Most installs take just a few hours with no wall cutting required

• Works with your existing plumbing – No dedicated return line necessary

• Thermostatically controlled crossover valve – Installed under your farthest sink, this allows unused hot water to flow back through the cold line

• Faster hot water at your fixtures – No more waiting for long pipe runs to deliver

• Bypass design that conserves water – Great for families or multi-story homes

Heads up: Because these systems temporarily use your cold water line to return unused hot water, you may notice your cold side runs warm for a few seconds before going cold. This is normal—and a small tradeoff for the added convenience.

🛠️ What About Tankless Water Heaters?

If you're considering upgrading your water heater entirely, some tankless models (like the Navien NPE-250A2) come with built-in recirculation capabilities, giving you the same comfort without a separate pump system.

🏠 Ready to Enjoy Instant Hot Water?

Whether you’re remodeling or just tired of waiting, a hot water recirculation system is a smart, non-invasive way to upgrade your plumbing. Contact us at DBS Plumbing Solutions and we’ll help you choose the right system for your home.