Hot Water Demand Systems Save Time, Water, Energy, And Money

Hot Water Demand Systems save Time, Water, Energy, and Money

We all know that we should be conserving water for a wide variety of reasons.  In some areas there are droughts occurring, in some areas water is just scarce to begin with.  Demand type hot water systems are an excellent way to save water.

Saving energy, conserving water, and reducing green house gases

One reason; for every gallon of water you use, you are using energy as well.  Water typically has to be pumped from the source to your home, and often it needs to be treated as well using even more energy.  The energy used to pump the water and treat the water needs to be generated, and that typically releases green house gases into the atmosphere.

Most of us are familiar with the common water conservation methods, low-flow toilets, low flow shower heads, low flow fixtures and strategies such as using landscaping that doesn’t require much water.  All of these methods require some sort of sacrifice by the user.

Add convenience without spending a fortune

Now there is a way to conserve large amounts of water, and it does not require sacrifice on the part of the user.  It’s actually a convenience for the user.  The concept behind this new conservation method is actually not new, but in recent years it’s been through some revolutionary changes that make it inexpensive and easy to implement.

The method as you may have surmised is the circulation of the hot water.  The old hot water circulating systems of the past were expensive, and very wasteful of energy.  The advantages were nearly instant hot water.  With instant hot water you don’t have to run gallons of water down the drain while you wait for the hot water to arrive.  This can save a typical family of four over 10,000 gallons per year.

Hot water demand (d'mand) systems are energy efficient

Not only do you conserve water, but you are provided the convenience of fast hot water. The good news is that the old hot water circulating systems have evolved into today’s hot water demand systems.  Hot water demand systems are much less expensive than their older counter parts, and are easy to install.  They are also extremely energy efficient. Hot water demand systems use less than $2.00 a year in electricity, and can actually save water heating energy as well.

There are several brands of hot water demand systems, including the Chilipepper CP6000, the Metlund D’MAND system, and Taco pump that markets a D’MAND system nearly identical to the Metlund system. These systems consist of an electronically controlled pump that connects to the hot and cold water lines under the fixture.  When you desire hot water at your fixture, you press a button that turns on the pump. When hot water reaches the pump, it shuts off, and hot water is only 2 or 3 seconds away.

Fast hot water for more than one fixture

Depending on your plumbing layout these units can often supply quick hot water to more than one sink, and sometimes all of your sinks.  You can easily find out how a demand system will work for your plumbing layout. When your pipes are all cold, like the first thing in the morning, just pick the location you think is the furthest from the water heater and turn on the hot water until it gets hot.

Now the hot water line is full of hot water just as though a demand system had been activated.  Go to the next closest sink and see if you get hot water a lot faster.  By letting the pipes cool off, you can try different locations for the demand system and determine the best place for it.  If need be you can use more than one pump in a house.

Metlund and Chilipepper Sales

Metlund offers 3 models that range in price from less than $300 to about $800.  The larger Metlund models can be used with tankless water heaters. Chilipepper CP6000 has a suggested retail price of $179.99, and is much more powerful than the Metlund and Taco systems and will therefore work with any kind of water heater including any tankless model.

Both systems are easy to install and both have code approvals.  Both systems save you the same amount of water, both have a life expectancy of about 15 years, and both systems have warranties.  The Chilipepper CP6000 also offers a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee.

Get a rebate

In some areas the local water companies offer rebates for the installation of these systems, some reaching $200.00.  In those areas it’s inexcusable not to install one of these water saving devices.

So now you know… for less than $200 you can get your hot water faster, stop running water down the drain, save a ton of water each year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  If you have a septic system you substantially reduce the amount of waste water your system has to handle each day.

Be green, practice water conservation, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing one of these water conservation systems right away.