Save now...pay later - thermostatic valve recirculation system inefficiencies

Sep 7, 2006

A closer look at thermostatic recirculation systems, particularly the thermostatic valve operations, validate the homeowners disappointments of waiting for cold water and abnormally high gas bills, conveyed by the numerous professionals who attended the 2006 Southern California Annual PHCC trade show. Thermostatic valves connect the homes hot and cold water lines together and the internal valve opens and closes in reaction to the hot / cold water contacting them. These �normally open� valves constantly remain open unless water 95F degree or hotter constantly contacts them to keep the valve closed. Most homeowners have no intention or desire to pay the cost of constantly maintaining hot water throughout their homes hot water pipes 24hours a day.

ANY use of cold water, i.e., flushing toilet, indoor/outdoor watering, icebox refill, swamp cooler, etc. which drops the water pressure in the cold water line while the thermostatic bypass valve is OPEN, causes any <95F water in the hot water line to rapidly pass through the open valve and into the cold water line. Resulting in additional water heater energy consumption as well as users waiting for cold water for tasks which warm water is less then ideal, even unacceptable, i.e., taking vitamins/pills, brushing teeth, washing off fruit / vegetables, salad prep, filling pitchers/drinks, recipes, watering plants, etc. Depending on the distance to the water heater, a home owner would wait quite sometime before water hot enough to close the valve arrives from the water heater. This waste of thermal energy is felt every month by the homeowner in the form of excessively high gas bills and occurs on recirculation systems with inadequate crossover protection.

Thermostatic recirculation systems require a continuously operating pump which constantly pushes 94F degree water into the cold water line depriving the home of its ability to dissipate heat out of the cold water line. Unknowingly these grossly inefficient systems get installed to avoid the cost of having an outlet installed under the fixture / sink farthest from the water heater. But, doing so homeowners are committing to higher energy consumption and discomfort for years to come. Minimizing crossover between hot and cold water lines maximizes hot water system efficiency, convenience and comfort while minimizing the homeowners� utility bills.

Why choose RedyTemp? Because comfort & efficiency matters.

RedyTemp is the industries most efficient recirculation system available on the market. The RedyTemp is engineered with two flow controlling devices to guarantee maximum control and efficiency. Utilizing a calcium proof check valve and a stainless steel solenoid valve the RedyTemp prevents costly water siphoning from the hot water line to the cold water line. Water in the hot water pipe is the most expensive water in the home. Any water which exits the hot water line is replaced by cold water which will need to be heated and consume more energy. This prevents the needless waste of gas and water while preserving the homes cold water comfort. RedyTemp's temperature based cyclic pumping minimizes electrical consumption and prevents loss of cold water comfort as experienced from continuous pumping systems which over heat the homes cold water line.

The above pie chart depicts the significance household water heating affects a homes energy cost. Poor control of a homes hot water supply results in discomfort and obvious penalties to the homeowner with excessively high energy bills month after month A solution that solves one problem, by creating multiple more serious problems, is hardly a solution at all.