How to Replace a Circulating Hot Water Pump
A circulating hot water pump helps reduce energy and water usage by pumping hot water directly to showers and faucets. Instead of waiting for the water to warm up while clean water runs down the drain, you'll enjoy instant hot water and lower energy and water bills. Circulating hot water pumps are installed beneath the farthest fixture from the water heater or directly adjacent to the water heater. Replacing an existing circulating hot water pump is easy and only requires a basic set of hand tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Adjustable wrench
- Teflon tape
- Garden hose
- Phillips head screwdriver
Instructions
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Replace a Circulating Hot Water Pump at the Fixture
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1
Turn off the water supply to the house. Close the main water valve by turning it clockwise as far as it will go. Unplug the pump from the electrical outlet. Open the faucets in the fixture above the circulating hot water pump.
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2
Disconnect the wires that lead from the pump to the remote control, timer or push-button, depending on the existing installation.
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3
Lift the pump and set it in a bucket or basin. Loosen the flexible lines connected to the sides of the pump. Drain any residual water from the pump and lines into the bucket or basin. Remove the old pump and bucket.
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4
Wrap two layers of Teflon tape clockwise around the threaded connectors on the sides of the new pump. Set the pump under the fixture with the label up and the orientation arrow pointing from left to right.
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5
Thread the flexible line connector from the cold water valve onto the threaded connector on the right side of the pump. Thread the connector from the hot water valve onto the left side of the pump. Tighten the connectors with an adjustable wrench.
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6
Connect the wires from the pump to the timer, remote control or push-button. Close the faucets and turn on the water supply. Plug the power cord from the pump into the electrical outlet.
Replace a Circulating Hot Water Pump at the Water Heater
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7
Shut off the electrical or gas power supply to the water heater. Shut off the water supply to the water heater. Unplug the circulating hot water pump.
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8
Open a hot water faucet to drain water from the system. Open a faucet at a level lower than the water heater if possible.
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9
Connect a garden hose to the drain valve on the bottom of the water heater if there is no faucet lower than the water heater. Run the garden hose to a drain or outside. Open the valve to drain water from the system. Close the valve and remove the hose when the water level drops below the level of the pump.
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10
Unscrew the nut that connects the flexible line to the top of the circulating hot water pump with an adjustable wrench. Unscrew the circulating hot water pump from the top of the water heater.
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11
Wrap two layers of Teflon tape clockwise around the threaded fitting on top of the water heater and on top of the pump.
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12
Screw the circulating hot water pump onto the threaded fitting on top of the water heater. Tighten the fitting with the adjustable wrench. Screw the fitting from the flexible line onto the threaded fitting on top of the pump. Tighten the fitting.
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13
Turn on the water supply to refill the water heater. Close the hot water faucet when all of the air in the line is gone.
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14
Turn on the power to the water heater and plug in the circulating hot water pump.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Set the timer on the circulating hot water pump to provide instant hot water during the times when you use the most hot water. When you replace a circulating hot water pump, it may be necessary to use adapters or other fittings to make the existing plumbing work with the new pump.
Working around water and electricity is potentially dangerous. Use extreme caution and avoid spilling or spraying water. Turn off the power to the pump receptacle if it is close enough to the plumbing to get wet while you replace the circulating hot water pump.
References
Resources
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