Are you tired of watching money go down the drain waiting for a hot shower?
Hot water takes a long time to arrive mainly because of distance: in a large home, 40+ feet of pipe can separate the water heater from a far fixture, so the cooled water in the line has to clear before hot water reaches the tap. The two best fixes are a hot-water recirculation pump (about $650 installed) or, for larger homes, a tankless water heater that heats on demand.
Most of us waste a lot of water waiting for a hot shower. Literally, it’s watching money going down the drain!
Why does it take so long for hot water to come out of a faucet?
First of all, the reason the water takes so long to get to the faucet or shower depends on how long it takes to get there. In a large home, it is quite common for 40 feet of piping or more to extend from the water heater to the most distant water fixture. As a result, it can take some time for the hot water to travel from the heater to the shower. The larger the home, the further the hot water has to travel and the longer the wait time.
How do you get hot water faster?
Homeowners should consider a re-circulation retrofit to get hot water to the shower or faucet faster. According to Melvin Music, Owner of Allgood Plumbing and Electric, “It may cost around $650 to purchase and install a recirculating pump with a timer that you can set for the peak times that you would normally take a shower.” It’s an up-front cost, but it saves time, money and the environment by conserving water with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 gallons of water saved per year for a family of four. “If you factor in the energy savings alone, it’s going to pay for itself pretty soon.”
Consider a tankless water heater
For those with a bigger house and bigger budget, a tankless water heater is also a good option to get hot water to that custom-designed bathroom with multiple showerheads. According to Rinnai, the number-one selling brand of tankless water heaters in the US and Canada, tankless water heaters operate on an as-needed basis, using up to 40% less energy than traditional systems. The introduction of new technology, frequent updates to environmental and energy conservation laws are constantly being made by the US Department of Energy. So even if you don’t have a bigger budget and you are due for a new water heater, going for an eco-friendly tankless would keep you ahead of new DOE mandates for more stringent efficiency standards and it would be an excellent investment in your home with continued monthly cost savings off your utility bills. The price gap between tank and tankless is now narrowed significantly, and there is a Federal Tax Credit available, depending on the model selected and rebates are also offered from some electric and natural gas service provider companies.
Recirculation Pump vs. Tankless: Which Is Right for You?
Both fixes get hot water to the tap faster, but they suit different homes:
Recirculation pump (about $650 installed): best for most homes that just want to stop waiting at the tap. It keeps hot water moving through the existing lines and can run on a timer for your usual shower times.
Tankless water heater: best for larger homes, high-demand bathrooms, or when your water heater is already due for replacement. It heats on demand, never runs out, and uses up to 40% less energy, at a higher up-front cost.
Start saving today!
If you are tired of wasting money, wasting water and had enough of standing there shivering while you wait for a hot shower, consider the options available to you to speed up the time it takes for water to get from your heater to your shower and call your plumber today!
