- 4 reads
Do you turn your faucet on and have to wait forever for the hot water to arrive? Whether you want hot water fast at your kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or shower, there are many options and tradeoffs to consider.
Most water pipes in homes are made of copper, which is one of the worst insulators on the planet. You spend lots of energy and money to heat water from the tank, and once the water is sent up through the copper pipes the heat is lost almost instantly. Then, when you open the faucet and call for hot water, you need to wait, wasting water, energy, time, and money!
To start saving water, energy, time and money today, explore one of these three options:
- Insulate hot water pipes:
Copper pipe insulation costs approximately $2 per foot and can be installed by most homeowners. The problem is accessibility, especially in existing homes. No matter what, you should insulate the first six feet of hot and cold pipes to minimize heat loss. This $25 investment will easily pay for itself in the first year and provide hot water faster.
- Point-of-Use Hot Water Tanks:
The fastest way to get hot water to the faucet is to store it directly under the sink. The average tank holds 3-5 gallons and keeps the water warm with an electric coil. Although these aren’t the most energy efficient solution, they are the most convenient.
- Booster/Circulator Pumps: Rather than letting the water run down the drain while you are waiting for it to get hot, why not circulate it back into the water heater? A booster pump like the Chili Pepper™ pulls hot water from your tank and sends back the cold water, rather then sending it down the drain. Simply press the start button and let the pump run for 15-20 seconds. Once the pump shuts off you will have hot water as soon as you open the faucet!
