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Diligent_Nature t1_jdj5eb7 wrote

It can be done, but the advantage of a tankless heater is that you don't have to store heated water and lose energy due to inefficient insulation. A recirculating pump will decrease efficiency by storing hot water in the even more inefficient pipes instead of in a tank. Returning through the cold pipe means having to waste hot water whenever you use cold or mixed water. If you don't care about efficiency then it could work for you.

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GeekX2 OP t1_jdj85cf wrote

Good points. The selling point on tankless for us was the unlimited supply of hot water more than the idea of not reheating water we weren't using.

I see your point about wasting hot water when we want cold. It's kind of the opposite of what we have now--wasting cold to get hot. Maybe that's a vote for dedicated loop if I decide to recirculate.

Thanks.

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Remanage t1_jdjqidg wrote

If you want to get some of the benefits of the recirculation system, put the pump on a switch (or even better, a timer switch) near the point of use. Flip it on a minute before you use the water, then turn it off and enjoy your hot water. You're not wasting water or energy then.

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Diligent_Nature t1_jdjford wrote

A limited hot water supply is not a bad thing. It encourages conservation.

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