There is no return piping for the hot water to flow back to the water heater already installed when a hot water recirculation system is retrofitted in a home, so a device called a “crossover valve” is installed under the faucet farthest from the water heater. One is shown above with a red arrow pointing to it. 

    The valve allows a pump installed at the hot water output side of the water heater to circulate hot water through the hot water piping to the valve and then run back through the cold piping to the water heater. Although it looks like a short length of straight pipe, there is thermostatic valve in it that closes when the water temperature reaches about 103º F. A timer at the pump circulates the water at regular intervals, which makes hot water available at all fixtures along the loop. The only disadvantage is that the cold water will be a little warm immediately after each cycle.

    Here is a simplified explanation of how the system works by our plumber friend, James Freeman, of JW Freeman Plumbing:

“The tee is designed to recycle the cold water that is in-between the water heater and the farthest sink back towards the heater. Then the tee closes off when hot water reaches it so that the homeowner does not have to wait for hot water when they need it, and hot water is not continuously circulating through the cold water system.”

    It is sometimes referred to as a “comfort system circulation pump,” and the brand we see most often is Groundfos. Their diagram of the system flow is shown below.

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Here’s links to a collection of more blog posts about WATER HEATERS:

• Are water heaters required to be raised off the floor? 

• Can a Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR or T&P) valve be mounted to discharge horizontally?

• Where are gas water heaters not allowed to be installed?  

• Is the minimum size water heater inlet pipe 1/2" or 3/4" according to the building code?

• Can you use a light switch for a water heater disconnect? 

• How can I tell if a water heater is HUD-approved for mobile/manufactured homes?

• Can you wire a 240-volt water heater with 120 volts? 

• Is it alright to have a shut-off valve on both the hot and cold water pipes at a water heater?  

• What is the minimum clearance to doors and windows for an outdoor tankless gas water heater? 

• What is required clearance for access and working space in front of an electric water heater? 

• Why is the water heater older than the house? 

• Does a water heater need a shut-off valve? 

• Why should a tankless water heater have an isolator/service valve kit installed?

• When was a gas water heater first required to be elevated 18 inches above a garage floor?  

• Can the temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve discharge pipe for a mobile/manufactured home water heater terminate under the home? 

• What is the purpose of a thermostatic mixing valve above a water heater? 

• What does it mean when a water heater Temperature/Pressure Relief (TPR) discharge pipe is "trapped"? 

• Can I leave a gas water heater in place when remodeling a garage into a family room or bedroom? 

• Where do I find the water heater in a mobile home?

• Does a tankless water heater in an attic require a drain pan? 

• Does an electric water heater require a disconnect? 

• Is a catch pan and drain piping required for a replacement water heater?

• What is the difference between a single element and dual element electric water heater? 

• What is an FVIR water heater?

• What is a heat pump water heater?

• Why is my water heater making strange (rumbling, gurgling, knocking or banging) noises? 

• What can I do to make my water heater last longer?

• How can I determine the age of a water heater if the serial number is missing or decoding it is impossible? 

• How does a hydronic heating system work?

• What is the difference between a regular water heater and a direct vent water heater? 

• What is the difference berween a regular water heater and a power vent water heater?

• What is backdrafting at a gas water heater? 

• How do I determine if a water heater is gas or electric?

• What does it mean when a gas appliance (water heater, furnace, or range) has been "red tagged"?  

• What's the valve with the flip-up handle on the water heater for?

• Why is an older water heater an insurance problem?

    Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.