For a $200 to $400 investment, a home owner or business owner can save $844 to $1,344 in 10 years in water savings alone. Energy and utility savings are additional and larger. At the same time, users can enjoy hot-water comfort at every faucet without the wait.

The return on investment can be better than the stock market, without the risk.

What is hot-water recirculation?

Hot water in the supply pipe cools when no one draws hot water. Hot-water recirculation saves lukewarm water from being dumped down the drain while waiting for hot water. A pump with built-in timer, sensor, switch, hoses and tees installed under the sink transfers the lukewarm water automatically into the cold-water pipe.

Another method is to have a bypass valve under the sink maintain 90° F at the faucets with a timer or call button during the time when hot water is desired. There are more options for dedicated return lines and outdoor pumps.

The benefits of hot-water recirculation include: hot-water comfort; no more cold showers; no more waiting for hot water; saving money on water, utility and sewer bills; saving precious water resources; and preventing the freezing of pipes.

The problem, expense and solution

When a person has to wait for hot water, a home or business is paying for the wasted energy, water and the sewage fees.

A U.S. Government study states the average home with four taps wastes 7,500 to 12,000 gallons, while homes with five taps result in 15,000 gallons wasted. There are 127 million households in the United States. If they waste approximately 12,000 gallons of water on average per household, it equals 1,524,000,000,000 gallons annually — that is 1 trillion 524 billion gallons of precious drinking water.

Wasted water cost in three years at 100 gallons of use per person per day is $253, in 10 years it is $844. At 150-gallon use in three years it is $403, in 10 years it’s $1,344. Energy, utility cost and sewer fees are additional and larger.

A recirculation system sells anywhere from $199 to $425. Therefore, a recirculation investment gives a quick payback in one to three years.

Potable water is an essential resource and is in short supply in many dry areas and large population centers. Everyone should help reduce the water shortage.