Question: When you set the timer, does that turn the pump on to run continuously until the 'off' time is reached? Or does it just run during that time period when the water is flowing to an open valve?? Asked another way, during the 'on' time, does the pump run continuously or does it sense water flow and pump accordingly?
Yes, the pump runs continuous while the timer is on or in the on position. The pump has a opening around the impeller that allows it to run with out damaging it self while the sensor valve under the sink is closed. These pumps are made by Grundfos and last 10-15 years.
Great video. I asked a plumber to install one at my home. He said that it couldn't be done, or it would be extremely difficult since he would have to run a return line. Does this make sense to you?? My other option could be to install an under sink pump in the kitchen since that's the worst location for getting hot water.
With this system no return is needed. Install the pump on the hot port of the water heater and sensor bar under the sink and that's it. I am installing 2 this week. And installed 1 last week. Very straight forward install. Maybe try another plumber. These systems have been around for 15 to 20 years. Grundfos was the 1st one to develop it. BTW only stay with WATTS or Grundfos. The other knock offs are low quality.
Which would be better, this or just a local under the sink small water heater in the bathroom. I'm trying to save water. It takes a good 2 mins of running water to get any hot water.
This one is the better choice. The pump and the sensor bar are Grundfos the best pump on the market. I have seen Grundfos pumps go over 30 years in our plumbing business. The sensor bar should have a life span of 5-10 years and the replacement is usually $80.
Excellent video. Thanks for creating and sharing as I am about to install one. Quick question please: Install manual states to empty the Hot Water Tank. I think you mentioned you dont really have to completely empty it, just remove some hot water and release the pressure. Is that correct? I prefer not to waste water if I dont have to empty the hot water tank. Thank in advance! Dan
Will this pump bring hot water to faucets that have a long wait time for hot water to run? Am I understanding this correctly. I have two sinks like that. One is the kitchen sink, one is a bathroom sink. I had thought to put an on demand unit under my kitchen sink, but if this would do both sinks I will check this out. Thanks.
Yes, it will. You will need a sensor bar under each sink. Here is the sensor link amzn.to/49jQsGV -- pump amzn.to/4cMMjhI. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions diyonthehouse@gmail.com
I installed it under the vanity sinks in 2 separate bathrooms. Best way to determine where to install it is, run the water in the furthest faucet from the water heater, then go to the faucets between the furthest and the water heater and time how long it takes to get water to that faucet. If it gets hot in an acceptable time you just install the bypass at the furthest location. If it takes a while to get there, install another bypass at that point. It's all about your preference.
@@DIYOnTheHouse so I have one of these in a house we just purchased and like the comment above, the sink where this "valve" is installed is only giving hot water on the cold water side, we never get cold water although we have it everywhere else through the house, so is it possible that this "valve" is bad??
Probably,not. Would be nice. We have the same problem in Sacramento, CA. The PEX is hung in the attic and outside the house envelope. Therefore the water must overcome the wide temperature swings. Insulation might help, but only for the person using the faucet/shower right after the first user.
This video was great It even made a non-DIY guy like me think that I could actually install it myself. One question I have is regarding the under sink sensor bar. According to another video I saw, I thought you only need to install one of those sensors under the sink furthest away from the water heater. But in this video you installed multiple sensors at different sinks? Trying to understand if one is enough, or if I need one at every sink?
Most houses will have a manifold near the water heater and that will send water different directions. What you can do is turn on the furthest faucet until the water becomes hot and then check faucets between that and the water heater. If the water heats up right away then you don't need another sensor. If it takes a while and you don't think it's satisfactory, then you can install another sensor at that point. You kind of have to decide is the cost of additional sensors and time it takes to get the hot water worth it.
@@keithhammers7404 If they all branch off one main hot water line then you could just put one on the furthest faucet and that will do really well. If you have two separate hot water lines that branch away from each other then you would get two sensor valves, one at the furthest run for each main branch. Hope that makes sense.
@@alecbrendon6662what is odd is my master bathtub is the farthest from the hot water tank and gets hot pretty quick. The shower and 2 faucets in the same BR take forever. We turn on the bathtub faucet to get hot water in the rest. Just crazy annoying and wasteful. I have no idea how the lines are setup. Not sure if my information helps.
@@keithhammers7404 I think that makes sense though, the bath tub pumps out like 4-6 times the water, draining the line and getting hot water real fast. If you're sure the tub and sink lines are close then the sink should be the right spot to put the sensor.
The sensor bar has a internal thermostat that opens when the water temp cools and allows the hot water from the the pump to flow. As it heats up the thermostat closes slowly. Same principal as a thermostat on a car engine.
Well, As a Do It Yorselfer, or more appropriately do it for the wife as she dieects the project while watching the video, she said she kinda LIKES the Verb "Unloosen" !! Maybe you have knowledge of what the heck is in the middle of that valve that is the sensor for the water temperature cut off?
My house is a 1300 sq ft. 1971 ranch. Water heater in the laundry room at one end of the house, showers clear at the other end of the house. To get any hot water in my shower I have to turn it on and let it run while I brush my teeth for 2 solid minutes - or more (my teeth are very well maintained!). That's a lot of water just going down the drain just to get hot water. Is there something like this I can use for my shower?
The pump overcomes the cold water pressure which means the lines are seeing increased pressure. Blowing open a plastic joint is a disaster. So how much more pressure is put on the piping by the booster pump? Is there a relief mechanism to prevent overpressure?
Circulating pumps don't increase the pressure on the system, they just move the water. This pump has an open cavity that doesn't allow them to pressurize anything. Circulating pumps are not booster pumps.
@@kevinwonsetler3777 Yes, if the times you want hot water is unpredictable. But running the pump theoretically 24hrs/day costs money. So the balance is you pick times (morning, evening, night) when you are most likely to use hot water, and just have the pump run then.
@@jwhite4 Instead of using the timer, I set it to ON, and plug it into one of the wifi switches I bought on ebay for about $5. I use my smart phone to turn it on for a bout 45 seconds before I need the hot water, and turn it off right away. It works like a charm and only cost me a few pennies a month on my electric bill.
Order Pump: amzn.to/3YL2Cqy
What prevents the hot water from mixing with the cold water when you turn the faucet on cold only?
I have an oil burner with a built in 5 gallon water coil heater on Boiler. Would this work with that?
If you have a hot water storage tank it should work fine. It would be best to ask a plumber familiar with your system first.
Question: When you set the timer, does that turn the pump on to run continuously until the 'off' time is reached? Or does it just run during that time period when the water is flowing to an open valve?? Asked another way, during the 'on' time, does the pump run continuously or does it sense water flow and pump accordingly?
Yes, the pump runs continuous while the timer is on or in the on position. The pump has a opening around the impeller that allows it to run with out damaging it self while the sensor valve under the sink is closed. These pumps are made by Grundfos and last 10-15 years.
Great video. I asked a plumber to install one at my home. He said that it couldn't be done, or it would be extremely difficult since he would have to run a return line. Does this make sense to you?? My other option could be to install an under sink pump in the kitchen since that's the worst location for getting hot water.
With this system no return is needed. Install the pump on the hot port of the water heater and sensor bar under the sink and that's it. I am installing 2 this week. And installed 1 last week. Very straight forward install. Maybe try another plumber. These systems have been around for 15 to 20 years. Grundfos was the 1st one to develop it. BTW only stay with WATTS or Grundfos. The other knock offs are low quality.
Which would be better, this or just a local under the sink small water heater in the bathroom. I'm trying to save water. It takes a good 2 mins of running water to get any hot water.
This one is the better choice. The pump and the sensor bar are Grundfos the best pump on the market. I have seen Grundfos pumps go over 30 years in our plumbing business. The sensor bar should have a life span of 5-10 years and the replacement is usually $80.
Excellent video. Thanks for creating and sharing as I am about to install one.
Quick question please:
Install manual states to empty the Hot Water Tank. I think you mentioned you dont really have to completely empty it, just remove some hot water and release the pressure. Is that correct? I prefer not to waste water if I dont have to empty the hot water tank.
Thank in advance!
Dan
Yes just drain out enough to lower the water level below the hot nipple.
Got it.
Project all done.
Thank you!
how about a video for installing these to tankless water heaters?
It won't work.
Will this pump bring hot water to faucets that have a long wait time for hot water to run? Am I understanding this correctly. I have two sinks like that. One is the kitchen sink, one is a bathroom sink. I had thought to put an on demand unit under my kitchen sink, but if this would do both sinks I will check this out. Thanks.
Yes, it will. You will need a sensor bar under each sink. Here is the sensor link amzn.to/49jQsGV -- pump amzn.to/4cMMjhI. Feel free to email me if you have any more questions diyonthehouse@gmail.com
Quick question where did you install the other bypasses
I installed it under the vanity sinks in 2 separate bathrooms. Best way to determine where to install it is, run the water in the furthest faucet from the water heater, then go to the faucets between the furthest and the water heater and time how long it takes to get water to that faucet. If it gets hot in an acceptable time you just install the bypass at the furthest location. If it takes a while to get there, install another bypass at that point. It's all about your preference.
@@DIYOnTheHouse Thank you.
How will the sensor be connected to the shower line?
It's connected under the vanity in the bathroom which it typically a few feet away from the shower.
What about summertime scorching hot cold-water line?? Will this work for the cold side as well??? Using the supplied thermal shut off valve??
It is not designed to go on the cold side nipple. If temperature is a issue in the summer months you can turn the thermostat down on the heater.
@@DIYOnTheHouse so I have one of these in a house we just purchased and like the comment above, the sink where this "valve" is installed is only giving hot water on the cold water side, we never get cold water although we have it everywhere else through the house, so is it possible that this "valve" is bad??
Probably,not. Would be nice. We have the same problem in Sacramento, CA. The PEX is hung in the attic and outside the house envelope. Therefore the water must overcome the wide temperature swings. Insulation might help, but only for the person using the faucet/shower right after the first user.
This video was great It even made a non-DIY guy like me think that I could actually install it myself. One question I have is regarding the under sink sensor bar. According to another video I saw, I thought you only need to install one of those sensors under the sink furthest away from the water heater. But in this video you installed multiple sensors at different sinks? Trying to understand if one is enough, or if I need one at every sink?
Most houses will have a manifold near the water heater and that will send water different directions. What you can do is turn on the furthest faucet until the water becomes hot and then check faucets between that and the water heater. If the water heats up right away then you don't need another sensor. If it takes a while and you don't think it's satisfactory, then you can install another sensor at that point. You kind of have to decide is the cost of additional sensors and time it takes to get the hot water worth it.
@@DIYOnTheHouse Excellent answer. Thanks.
What about the shower furthest from the hot water tank?
@@keithhammers7404 Same idea. The water coming to the bathroom, whether the sink or the shower, should be the same.
Can I use this Pump for dedicated return line system?
Yes it will work great.
Are the valve sensors necessary or can you just get by with the pump?
They are necessary if you are using this system.
So does each sink need one then? I have 3 sinks and a shower that need more heat faster
@@keithhammers7404 If they all branch off one main hot water line then you could just put one on the furthest faucet and that will do really well.
If you have two separate hot water lines that branch away from each other then you would get two sensor valves, one at the furthest run for each main branch.
Hope that makes sense.
@@alecbrendon6662what is odd is my master bathtub is the farthest from the hot water tank and gets hot pretty quick. The shower and 2 faucets in the same BR take forever. We turn on the bathtub faucet to get hot water in the rest. Just crazy annoying and wasteful. I have no idea how the lines are setup. Not sure if my information helps.
@@keithhammers7404 I think that makes sense though, the bath tub pumps out like 4-6 times the water, draining the line and getting hot water real fast.
If you're sure the tub and sink lines are close then the sink should be the right spot to put the sensor.
I’ve installed these but don’t actually understand how that piece of plastic circulates hot water.
The sensor bar has a internal thermostat that opens when the water temp cools and allows the hot water from the the pump to flow. As it heats up the thermostat closes slowly. Same principal as a thermostat on a car engine.
Well, As a Do It Yorselfer, or more appropriately do it for the wife as she dieects the project while watching the video, she said she kinda LIKES the Verb "Unloosen" !! Maybe you have knowledge of what the heck is in the middle of that valve that is the sensor for the water temperature cut off?
It's a thermostatic valve.
My house is a 1300 sq ft. 1971 ranch. Water heater in the laundry room at one end of the house, showers clear at the other end of the house. To get any hot water in my shower I have to turn it on and let it run while I brush my teeth for 2 solid minutes - or more (my teeth are very well maintained!). That's a lot of water just going down the drain just to get hot water. Is there something like this I can use for my shower?
You can use this watts system if there is a bathroom vanity in the room with the shower. It will take the 2 minutes down to 15-20 seconds.
The pump overcomes the cold water pressure which means the lines are seeing increased pressure. Blowing open a plastic joint is a disaster. So how much more pressure is put on the piping by the booster pump? Is there a relief mechanism to prevent overpressure?
Circulating pumps don't increase the pressure on the system, they just move the water. This pump has an open cavity that doesn't allow them to pressurize anything. Circulating pumps are not booster pumps.
I dont understand the timer? Shouldn't it be recirculating all the time?
Thank you Sir. Appreciate you speaking loudly and clearly with no funky music in background...
@@kevinwonsetler3777 Yes, if the times you want hot water is unpredictable. But running the pump theoretically 24hrs/day costs money. So the balance is you pick times (morning, evening, night) when you are most likely to use hot water, and just have the pump run then.
@@jwhite4 Instead of using the timer, I set it to ON, and plug it into one of the wifi switches I bought on ebay for about $5. I use my smart phone to turn it on for a bout 45 seconds before I need the hot water, and turn it off right away. It works like a charm and only cost me a few pennies a month on my electric bill.
As a plumber i do not condone the use of the word unloosen.
😂