A recirculating pump (also referred to as a Circulating Pump or Circulator Pump) in your basement could serve one of two functions. It might be part of your hot water heating system, or it could be an integral component of your plumbing system.

Understanding their functions and maintenance requirements empowers homeowners and business owners to optimize their efficiency and longevity. Regular maintenance, such as that offered by St Paul Pipeworks, ensures that these pumps continue to operate seamlessly, delivering the convenience we’ve come to rely on.

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The Australian standard covering water pressure in the home (AS 3500.1:2018) mandates that water pressure in a building must be kept below 500 kPa (unless the outlet is used for fire fighting), where a building is defined as a structure, temporary building, temporary structure and any part of a building structure in the Building Act 1993. The reason for this requirement is that water pressure above 500 kPa has the potential to damage valves, tap fittings, flexible hose fitting etc as the components are only rated to withstand pressures at or below 500 kPa.  So if your pressure is over this level you probably want to get a pressure reduction valve (PRV) fitted.

The recirculating pump stands as a crucial innovation, streamlining our daily routines and enhancing comfort. Whether it’s providing immediate hot water in distant corners of our homes or ensuring warmth through space heating, these pumps play a dual role that simplifies our lives.

Water is provided to you via a very simple principle and that is, water runs down hill.  Water is stored in a high place (i.e. a reservoir) and is distributed to your home which is in a lower place.  The maximum water pressure you could receive fundamentally depends on the difference in height between your house and the reservoir, in the same way that something rolling down a hill gains more speed if it starts higher up the hill.

Home recirculating pumps, on the other hand, are designed to turn on based on personal usage. They activate when they sense excessive water flow or when the water temperature drops below a certain point. This design allows hot water to be available more quickly when needed.

Conversely, in a plumbing system, a recirculating pump comes in handy when there’s a need for hot water in areas far from the main plumbing system. In such cases, the pump ensures a constant supply of hot water by maintaining a continuous loop of circulation.

A: A recirculating pump can serve two main functions. It can be part of a hot water heating system, ensuring warmth throughout your home by circulating hot water through in-home space heating pipes. Alternatively, it can be an integral component of your plumbing system, maintaining a continuous loop of circulation to provide instant hot water in areas far from the main plumbing system.

Commercial recirculating pumps are typically designed to run continuously during business hours. They often feature automatic controls and a built-in 24-hour clock, enabling them to operate only during periods of high hot water usage.

It is also probably better to buy (or borrow) your own meter as you want to get readings at various times of the day; as previously stated water pressure changes throughout the day and tends to rise at night.

Like any mechanical device, a recirculating pump will eventually wear out and need replacement. Regular maintenance, typically once a year, is recommended to ensure its longevity and proper functioning. While some older systems require annual oiling, most newer ones do not.

We will always go the extra mile to provide you the best service possible. We will help you decide what repairs are worth making, what products will last the longest, and the smartest way to utilize your plumbing budget.

To have a PRV fitted you can expect to pay between $300-$425 depending on where you are (according to online service pricing sites), which is not exactly cheap but if you stack that up against the cost of not installing a regulator it will work out cheaper.

A: While usually located near the water heater, recirculating pumps can be positioned anywhere along the plumbing line. Modern plumbing systems integrate them efficiently, often using existing piping to eliminate the need for additional lines. Regular maintenance, recommended annually, helps extend the pump’s lifespan and functionality. Newer models typically don’t require oiling, unlike older systems.

Ok, that is mains water pressure but what about water pressure in your home.  If the water pressure is too high you can decrease it with a pressure reduction valve (PRV) at the water inlet to your home or increase it with a pump if it is too low (a much rarer situation).  You can measure the water pressure using a $20 water pressure meter from Bunnings (the cheap option) or you can have a plumber come over and measure it for you (not recommended).

Water pressure is not uniform throughout a given water distribution network it will depend on a number of factors such as:

All of which probably adds up to more than the $400 you would spend installing a pressure reduction valve at the inlet to your home.

A: In homes with multiple stories or extensive layouts, hot water often takes time to reach distant faucets due to cooled water in the pipes. A recirculating pump solves this issue by constantly circulating hot water. As the water in remote pipes cools, the pump sends it back to the heater for reheating, ensuring a consistent supply of hot water without delays.

In the context of a hot water heating system, the pump recirculates hot water to provide warmth throughout your home. This circulation is achieved through a boiler system using pipes designed for in-home space heating.

A recirculating pump solves this problem by keeping hot water circulating continually. As the water in the distant pipes begins to cool off, the pump sends it back to the water heater for reheating, ensuring a constant supply of hot water.

A: Commercial pumps run continuously during business hours using automatic controls and timers. Home pumps activate based on personal usage, sensing water flow or temperature drops. This design ensures hot water is available promptly when needed and helps conserve energy compared to continuous operation.

Even though recirculating pumps are usually located near the hot water heater, they can be placed anywhere along the plumbing line. Modern plumbing systems have introduced efficient ways to implement these pumps, often using existing piping, eliminating the need for a third pipe.

If you live in a large house with multiple stories or a long rambler-style design, you may notice that hot water takes a while to reach certain areas. This delay occurs because the hot water has to displace the tepid water left in the pipes that has already cooled down.

If you need help installing or maintaining a recirculating pump in your home or business or need the services of a quality professional plumber in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, give St Paul Pipeworks a call today!

Ideally, at least the information about the issues associated with high pressure would be provided to you by those responsible for supplying you with water as a public service announcement; as the problem of high water pressure in homes it is not a widely known issue.  It could be part of water saving measures and perhaps a scheme could be implemented to test and install PRVs on people homes at a reduced cost so that water is not wasted (through slow or fast leaks).  The fact that this hasn't happened probably indicates the incentives aren't there to do it.  Until such as scheme is implemented it is up to the homeowner (and their plumber) to protect themselves from high water pressure.

A: Understanding how your recirculating pump works and maintaining it properly can enhance its efficiency and lifespan. Regular inspections are advisable to ensure optimal functionality. If you need installation, maintenance, or professional plumbing services in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, don’t hesitate to contact St Paul Pipeworks for assistance.

It is important to note that keeping pressure in spec for outlets in the home is the responsibility of the homeowner (and their plumber), your water supply company does not have jurisdiction past the water inlet to your home (like many other industries of society the water supply industry is siloed).

Water pressure that is too high is an issue that can affect your home; it is the intent of this article to arm the reader with the information to understand the issues around high water pressure so that they can do something to mitigate its effects.