Ok plumbers... what are your thoughts on this recirc install?

My parents moved into their new used house which has this recirc pump installed. There is definitely a problem. The hot water heater seems to be working fine, both elements drawing 16 amps and set the same, water does get hot, just not if you want to shower. I have my own thoughts about the recirc install, what are yours?

 

Following because I want to install one.

 

I should also note more about the problem:

Only warm water at showers if pump is off, which leads me to believe the check valve is stuck open. I thought I had nailed down the problem to the check valve until my daughter tried to take a bath (pump on) and we only got hot water for a little bit and then it turned warm again (but hot at the bathroom sink). Then I really started looking at the install and think some things are off a bit.

Also, house has a pressure reducer so I am going to guess the water pressure is at the high end of normal but don’t know what it is.

 

Is this the only system in the house?

 

Yep.

 

In that case, how old is the home? It could be time to replace your shower valves. Do your faucets maintain a steady hot temp with no issues?

 

If you shower for a while and get cold water after 5-10 minutes or your faucets do the same thing, it could also very well be your drip tube. Check the age on your water heater.

 

It is just less than 20 years old. Higher end fixtures and was a second home for two people - basically new. The only fixtures that seem unaffected are the laundry room sink and kitchen sink.

 

*Not a plumber* Electrician though.. did you check the amp reads at the pump? I had a circ pump installed when I built my house and this pump only lasted 4 years.

 

Am I seeing this right? Hot water recirc pump is on the cold side?

 

Dip tube - good suggestion. But, I think it’s more related to the recirc pump as the kitchen and laundry seem fine.

 

As you can see it could be numerous things.

I'm going to assume that those are the closest fixtures from your water heater.

 

Yes, it dumps into the cold side.

 

No, it is making noise and does seem to be working as the water is hot at the faucets when it’s on, compared to off.

 

Yep, it pushes water through your tank so you have instant hot water at every tee below your sink, shower etc..

 

It is supposed to go to your cold, the pump prevents cold water from going into your hot water lines. It sounds like your pump is failing since its not supplying hot water to all of your faucets, you should have a constant ready supply of hot water with a recirc pump.

 

I believe so. I know the return line comes from the furthest bathroom, but unsure if it also comes from the closer one.... but doubt it comes from those.

 

Do you have a bypass valve at the faucet furthest from the tank?

 

Not sure, its well insulated so I’ll have to look into that.

 

You recirc pump shouldn't be making noise at all. This is definitely a recirc pump issue. If the house was sitting for a while without power before being bought there might be air in the line, could be bad bearings, the installer could've put the wrong size pump for your system.

 

When you turn a faucet on to hot, does it get hot instantly?

 

Interesting, so the pump is working.
I'm wondering if you're just running out of hot water with all the lines it's trying to heat and can't replenish it in time.

For what it's worth, I had 2 hot water tanks installed and have yet to run out of hot water in 5 years. Wife and 2 kids in the house also.

 

I feel like the check valve is on the wrong side of the pump, even if it’s working. I also feel like it would be better to pull the drain valve off and add a tee - and dump the return water in the bottom of tank. If the check valve is bad, I wonder if the water pressure is high enough to overcome the pump pressure.
Or as @Tundra4x4rdytgo suggested, simple dip tube issue.

 

If i'm looking at your pictures correctly, Your check valve is installed correctly, before the pump and on the cold side. Here's a basic diagram to help you out since you're there and can pinpoint and mark. Disregard the gas line and the fact that this is a gas water heater, hookup is all the same.

 

Yep... if the pump is on and no one has tried to shower.

 

I am not a fan of this diagram, because I am not sure it’s the best way to install. However, that is not how it’s installed in my pictures.
edit: yeah it is but that diagram doesn’t show the second check valve.
Double edit: the check valve is on the cold incoming line per the diagram. The diagram doesn’t show a second check valve. @NWPirate s picture shows it downstream of his pump I think. In this diagram, maybe that pump has a built in check valve.

 

Even with a large family you shouldn't be running out of hot water unless your kids are filling the tub over and over each bath.

 

Normally you don't have/need two check valves, are you sure its a check valve? Looking at your pictures, it looks like both of them are swing valves.

 

I think you might need to call a plumber and have them take a look at your check valves, they could be failing to close properly and allowing cold water in your hot lines.