circulating pump questions

[kipster32]

My master bath is the furthest possible distance from the water heater (65 feet). There is a whirlpool tub and a multi head shower that is feed by a 1 inch line for volume. With this you can imagine the amount of luke-warm water that has to run before I have good hot water. I'm thinking that I should add a pump to the end of the line and run a 1/2 inch return line to the water heater and circulate the hot line periodocially. Part of the question is how to set it up ( timer, temp, motion sensor, ??) pump sizing, brand? So I thought that I would look to the experts here for some help. I hang out at this forum but usually on the woodworking part so if I have duplicated a previous post please forgive me and direct me to the info.... Thanks, KIP

[toolaholic]

a simple way ,I went with a slab home. Done in 1 hr.

www.grundfosusa.com Check out the home comfort series

[drtyhands]

I like the Grundfos.Have supplier size it.
3/4" return line.
Thermo switch.
Timer.

Don't forget check and isolation and valves

[rookie plumber]

Here is a little different idea, Grundfos low head pump, 3/4 return line and see if you can find a smart electrician to wire your pump up to your bathroom light switch. That way you only have the pump and the return line activated when you need it. Walk into the bathroom, turn on the light, use the toilet and when your done you have hot water waiting for you not you waiting for it.
Other ideas available upon request.

[Ace Sewer]

If you go with a recirc system, which I think will solve your problem, put one of (non) rookie plumber's sweet little flow restrictors in it; easy to do and will save you issues down the road.

[MoJourneyman]

a flow restrictor is a Good idea. i've been doing some repair work lately on a few houses with 3/4 Grundfos pumps running wide open 24/7.

one of the houses was done in pex with brass fittings. you could crush the fitting with your fingers, and that was only 3 years old.

[toolaholic]

And REAM your A$$ OFF on every cut!

[PLUMBER RICK]

for a single family home, there is no reason to have a circulating pump running continuous. hopefully the household has sleeping time and working time. no need to keep water circulating when the family is sleeping or off to work.

i always install a timer on private residential. the only problem with a point of use switch/ such as a light switch, is most pumps and circ systems are not going to come up to temperature for a few minutes or more. meaning that unless you have other things to doo:D the water will still be cool when you need it.

the best system is the one you don't need to worry about. one that circulates by itself with no pump and no real wear.

we've discussed it in great detail before. not a simple system to retrofit, but if you can get a circ return line up into an attic and back to the heater below, then you have the system that's the best of both worlds. hot water rises and cold water settles.

rookie can explain it best;)

rick.

[stokefire7]

I knew an electrician who wired a cocky apprentices horn to his brake pedal. I laughed for days.

[Plumbus]

Here is a little different idea, Grundfos low head pump, 3/4 return line and see if you can find a smart electrician to wire your pump up to your bathroom light switch. That way you only have the pump and the return line activated when you need it. Walk into the bathroom, turn on the light, use the toilet and when your done you have hot water waiting for you not you waiting for it.
Other ideas available upon request.

Clerer idea, rookie. I'm forwarding it to Gary Klein. He teaches the Climate Care workshop for GreenPlumbersUSA®