How to Install a Hot Water Recirculation Pump (Part 1: Watts 500800) 

Just a friendly tip from an actual plumber here in Sacramento CA, it would be a good idea to replace the kinked copper supply line. The twist & kink will lead to a pin hole leak and the a decrease in water pressure. Replace both supply lines with 12" braided flex lines.

First let me say I'm not a licensed plummer but I have done a considerable amount of plumbing and have installed three of the exact type of re-circulation pumps. In the written instructions that came with the pump it reads "...open a tap to the hot water line and drain the water heater". What they mean is to relieve the pressure from the hot water line to allow removal of the connection between the tank and the flex connector that supplies the house. Once the pressure is removed from the line the installation can be quickly completed. It is unnecessary to attach a hose to the bottom of the tank and drain the tank. This unnecessary step adds considerable time for no reason.

FYI the water heater isn't listed on your electric panel because it doesn't take electricity, it's a gas heater, also you don't need to drain the heater, just release the pressure.

I see you over tighten your cold water flex line lol

Love the picture of the vid bent up dented damaged cold intake flex line lol ! The comfort system causes lots of problems I remove them all the time !

Lol you didn't have to kill the power to your house... you have a gas heater which doesn't use electricity it runs off a thermocouple. A lot of people get recirculation pumps confused with comfort pumps; they are alike but the difference with yours is that you need to install a diverter at your farthest fixture with the recirculation there's a return line

First off Bravo sir you got out of your comfort zone and tied some thing different. and although she other gentlemen were correct (Mr. King and Mr. Schad) as a fourth Generation repair plumber/ Natural Gas Compressor Mechanic, you did very well now may I add a suggestion. the (Quick connections) that you use the steel braided hot and copper cold are designed for the most part one time use, yes they can be re used once or twice however the kinks you have on both and especially your copper cold should be replaced I recommend the style with shark-bite connections one one end and the water heater thread pipe thread on the other its quick easy and you don't need a torch. other than that great job oh and the next time you fill your water heater to get the air out shut the lavatory and open the tub faucet instead it will keep any residual junk out of your faucet screens as the tub spout doesn't have any. good video sir.

It is not necessary, to turn the power off, for a gas water heater (as in the video).

Just finished installing the watts circ pump. Works great for getting hot water to my kitchen faucet , but have a couple issues with it. It's about a 35 foot run, and now i have to run the cold water for a minute or 2 to get a glass of cold water, so seems like the water savings are a wash. In the process of running a separate line for a cold water dispenser. I've also noticed that my hot water heater runs more often than it did before. The pipes run through a heated basement, so don't think insulating the pipes will help much, but it's on my list. So my over all conclusion, it's more of a convenience thing than it is a cost savings.

Great video! I have one question: When the pump's timer is on, does the pump run all the time or only when the sensor at the sink "tells" it to? Thanks.

That supply line is specially designed to create a vortex to reduce strain on the pump. Make sure to use a counter clockwise line on systems below the equator as not to damage the pump.

Does this pump contain a sensor, check valve & timer all in one unit? And do I have to put a manifold valve under the sink furthest from my tank in addition to this pump?

After installation of the Watts Hot Water Recirculating Pump,I started using it right away. As long as the pump is running all is fine, but when the pump shuts off I have pipe bumping at the faucet where the bypass valve is installed, when running water in the kitchen. I installed an arrester on the Hot water side at the by pass valve, and still have bumping when running water at the kitchen with the pump off, I turn on the pump and it stops. Should it take an arrester on the cold water too, to stop the bumping?

If you are circulating hot water through the pipes you need a return line from each faucet or how does it circulate in a closed system???..

Does anyone know if there is a standard thermostat valve available like the one that comes with the 500800 pump? Not a thermostatic mixing valve, just a valve that closes when it reaches a certain temperature. It's as if Watts is the only one who makes them. But there's gotta be another option.

* cuts power to the whole house for a gas water heater * 🥴🥴

Did you have a heat trap installed in the anode rod, I couldn't tell? I'm doing the same install but not sure if I should install the new heat trap I purchased? The old anode rod did have a heat trap installed. I purchased a new anode rod and a new heat trap but I'm not sure if it will work with the recirculating pump or not? Your thoughts please. Thank you!

Wow. The supply line appears to have been tightened without a backup wrench. I noticed a kink starting in the form of a helix, reminiscent of the DNA molecular shape . I have the watts h20 recirculating pump. It's a money saver for sure.

I hope you can answer this. I know this video is older. My pump works fine - but at the sink where I installed the faucet, it sounds like water is running all the time. It’s not leaking anywhere that I can tell. Should it be making that sound?

Great video! Question: Does the pump have to go at the hot water heater, or can it go under the same sink as the bridge valve (or anywhere else in the hot-water line between the heater and the valve)? I would think the location (beginning or end of the same water-line) wouldn't matter where in that line the pump goes, no? Thanks!

*Have anyone had failures with the pump or the valve?*

Does this circulator cause any problem for the pipes when there is no return line?

It's a gas water heater, not a hot water heater. It heats cold water. Thank for the video.

You did not need to drain the hot water tank. That was a massive waste.

It should loop into the cold water side if I'm not mistaken bro

Thanks.

Have you made the second video yet?

My question is actually based on pressure. Houses here are normally installed with an auto pressure pump for the main supply line. The pumps produces a pressure rating of around 10 bar equivalent to 145 psi (Pump on the pent house). Does this mean that the booster or pressure pump on the supply line will contradict the pressure and thus the flow with this recirculation pump? I am not sure how this pump works but in the other video they say as soon as the water temperature at the valve drops to 98 degrees, it will allow water to be recirculated. By this, I believe the Watts small pump works on pressure stutus. When the valve shrinks due to heat change, water is allowed and therefore the pump detects the loss of pressure and starts to function. Does this means if the pressure on the cold supply line is greater or higher to some extent then the Watts pump won't start? In other words, what is the maximum pressure allowed on the cold line or the main supply line for this system to work properly? I am asking this just because we are going to boost the supply line with a 10 bar/145 psi automatic pump for two reasons. 1. It's because we want pressure on all showers below as water supply is free fall from a tank above. 2. A 200 liter central heater is at the same level as on one of the showers. Pressure will be so less at this point. Any help is much appreciated in advance.

Why did you drain the hot water heater all the way?

I just installed this pump and it doesn't seem to be working? It takes just as long to get hot water. Any ideas? Everything I am reading indicates it is likely a heat trap issue.

So the pump gives you more pressure pumping water in line out faster? If home pressure is 55-60 psi what is pump rated at?

My pump (after about three years) has stopped working... after reading some of the comments below...could it be that the pump is OK and the part that goes under the sink is no longer working properly. I did take the pump apart and notices the "wheel" inside is easily stopped... was initially assuming that was the problem, but before purchasing another pump MAYBE I should get a new crossover sensor valve first and try that??? HELP!!!

Seems very simple to do! But one important thing everyone is overlooking is the flue pipe on the tank!!!!! That flue needs to be properly secured to the baffle . The flue in this video is ready to fall off, garage or not carbon monoxide issues. Suggest you fix that asap!

Why turn off the power to gravity vented heater???

Friend.... you don't need to drain the tank once you cut off the supply line. You just wasted water and money.

Outside of draining the WH completely, which I need to do, has not been done in 14 years, how long does the actual install take? Thanks for any advice...

My question to you is did you have to install a separate outlet for the recirculating pump.

Why did you turn off the electricity?? You have a GAS water heater!!! If someone has a gas water heater you do NOT have to turn off the gas, just set the thermostat to "Pilot" while doing the work. And you do NOT need to drain the water from the tank!! That is a HUGE waste of water. But..... if a person has not flushed their hot water heater in a while, it's a good time to do that.

Great video. Makes sense. Problem is the creator of the video does not repy to ?s

Dam... Those flex supply lines on your heater are trashed!

Will this system work with a tankless gas water heater? Thanks.

Its looks like your problem is your supply line to your tank is majority kinked, which would lessen your hot water pressure.

This can't be right. Where is that water that the pump is sending going to go? How can it recirculate? The system is already closed. You need a loop back to the pump. Then the water can flow.

Ok why did he need to turn off power if he has a gas fired water heater? 🤔 Also why is he draining the tank if the pump is going to be installed in the water line at the top of the heater?🤔

You should really consider replacing your cold water inlet line with a flex hose.

My gas bill was 600 dollars till I shut the gas off and now I use propane from a bbq pit regulator cali propane is 16 dollars a mouth I live alone

Jeez, who mangled your water heater lines?

How is this a circulating pump when it is only on the HOT side? I would NOT use this video to do my project. The is no breaker for a gas water tank.cold water line should be addressed as well. Hmmm…

There is no reason to drain the entire tank. As has already been stated, you simply need to relieve pressure from the system so that the water doesn’t come out of the top of the heater when you remove the hot water line. Lastly, your water lines, particularly the supply line is in horrible shape. It’s obviously been twisted around and linked. I recommend replacing both lines.

It would be nice to get a how to video from someone who actually understands how it works. You just hook up this magic valve thing in the bathroom and it works.:(

Great effort! But as others have said, lots of not so great information. So for those needing correct step by step info, not the place. Someone once had to teach Michael Jordan how to dribble a basketball, so as he did, keep practicing!

He turned off the power and his water heater is gas 😂😂😂

I’m gas water heaters don’t have an electrical circuit. Just saying.

i don't think it is necessary to drain the tank to install this circulating pump.

it’s a shame he did it wrong. arrow needs to be point towards the water heater. you can tie it onto the cold side but it’s best to tie it into the boiler drain so it’s not exposed to really cold water but that’s where the check valve comes in play as well. but you want to still tie it into the boiler with a check valve and the arrow has to point towards the tank in order for it to recirculate. if it’s away then it’s just a booster

That is acting as a booster pump, not a recirculation pump

YOU COPPER SUPPLY LINE IS ABOUT crushed DUDE

You do so many dangerous acts in the video that you should probably pull it down. 1. Turn off electric to the house when you have a gas water heater, 2. Did NOT turn off the gas from a water heater that you drained (explosion hazard), 3. You drained the entire tank while gas was on (hazard), 4. You removed a line at the top of the tank to avoid a vacuum when there was a sink faucet upstairs doing that already, 5. You introduced cold water to a hot water tank that had gas heating it while you had it empty (another explosion hazard). WOW! PULL IT!

GAS TANK

I will use bathtub to open hot water. Ok?

its not😅

Really ????? Both your hot and cold heater hoses are kinked. Count on it failing and leaking in no-time.

That was all sorts of wrong. Wow

Lmfao power to a gas heater. Oh yeah

Good video But I have to call you out on one thing. It is not a hot water heater it is a water heater if the water was hot it would not need to be heated the correct name is water heater. It's called a water heater because cold water flows into the tank and then either electric heating elements heat the water or a gas burner at the bottom heats the water in the tank.

I am surprised you are even getting any hot water throughout the house with the condition that cold water copper flex connector is in. That's the first thing I would have replaced. And I hope whoever installed it like that sees this video so you can feel the shame!!! And yes, DON'T drain the heater. Use common sense, how would that assist in installing this pump on top of the heater???? Hello

Did he say hot water heater 🤦🏼‍♂️

big lol

It’s a water heater not a hot water heater. If the water was already hot you wouldn’t need to heat it hence the name WATER HEATER. I wish people would stop calling it this, drives us plumbing professionals bat crazy!!! Also, no need to drain the tank! Huge waste of water, you just need to get the water level below the connection.

Water heater. Not hot water heater.

I'm sorry, but I can't take instruction from someone that see's no problem with massively kinked supply lines.

If water heater is gas powered, expect a massive increase in your gas bill!

It's not a hot water heater it's just a water heater. You dont need to heat hot water, its already hot. You dont put toast in a toaster. Just stop if you are going to try an learn me a thing or 2 about a thing or 2 if you are learning yourself

This is all wrong. Just putting a pump in your hot water line will do nothing except burn up your pump since there's no where for the water to go. You need a return to cold to actually recirculate. And it's a gas heater. It's pointless to shut off power. And you don't need to drain the tank. You just need to relieve pressure by turning off supply and open a hot water tap in the house.