Energy Savings / Plumbing Jobs Sacramento
Does it take too long for your shower to heat up? Bonney has the solution.
May 24, 2016
A soothing hot shower first thing in the morning is one of life’s simple pleasures, but a shower that struggles to warm up quickly is one of life’s little annoyances. You might think you need a new water heater, but assuming your water heater is still in good shape, Bonney has another possible solution. Let’s take a second to explore the source of these delays in hot water delivery and the quick fix available to many homes.
Beyond the Inconvenience: Wasted Time, Money, and Clean Water
The average home can waste as much as 12,000 gallons of water a year waiting for the shower to heat up.
You turn on the shower and stand there waiting for the hot water to arrive…and waiting…and waiting…while all the water goes down the drain, wasting water, time, and money. It’s not an effective way to conserve water; it also adds to your monthly water bill. Imagine quarters circling your shower drain every morning.
Why Is The Hot Water Taking So Long?
Why does it seem like an eternity for hot water to reach your shower and other faucets? There are several reasons; the distance from the water heater, the diameter of the piping, and the flow rate of the water.
The further the hot water has to flow, the longer it takes to warm up the shower faucet. This is especially true with a larger home.
Pipe Impacts on Hot Water
Another reason for a slow hot water arrival is the water that is currently in the pipes. When anticipating warm water, all the cooled-off water sitting in the pipes must flow out before the hot water reaches the shower or faucet.
The size of the pipes also plays a role. The wider the pipes, the longer it takes hot water to reach your shower faucet. Wider pipes require more water per inch, which slows delivery.
The flow rate of the faucet or showerhead also affects the delay in hot water, because it affects how quickly the cooled water sitting in the pipes is emptied, this is especially true with water-conserving bathroom faucets and showerheads.
If your shower water is not warming up quickly, don’t ignore it. It doesn’t have to be that way. Bonney Plumbing, Heating, and Air has the solution.
Recirculation Pumps: The Easy Solution to Hot Water Delays
The answer to this problem could be a hot water recirculation pump.
There are two types available, a complete hot water recirculation system and a retrofit system. The complete recirculation system has a dedicated hot water line that runs from your furthest fixture back to your water heater, creating a loop. This is the most energy-efficient.
The retrofit system has a pump connected to the hot water outlet side of the water heater and a crossover valve installed at the furthest fixture. This allows hot water to be pumped into the cold water system, which is called stacking. It’s less efficient than the recirculation system, but it’s less expensive and gives similar results.
Bonney Plumbing Solutions in the Sacramento Area
You don’t have to endure the wait for warm showers every morning. Enjoy quick hot water with a hot water recirculation pump. Conserve water, money, and time by calling the pros at Bonney at 866-362-2106. We’re on it!
Josh Tyack is the manager of the HVAC repair team at Bonney Plumbing, Sewer, Electrical, Heating & Air. He brings 23 years of experience and knowledge in the heating & air conditioning industry to our company. His dedication to his trade and long-standing expertise has allowed him to help thousands of residential and commercial customers tackle their heating and cooling needs. Our team has you covered with everything from the air filter in your home to the HVAC unit on your roof. Josh holds himself and his entire team to a high standard, making him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the Sacramento area in the HVAC industry.