Instant Hot Water or Hot Water Recirculation

[markweatherill]

I turn the hot tap on and catch the water in a container while I'm waiting for it to get hot.
When I flush the toilet, I use that water to refill the cistern.

[Giovanni LiCalsi]

The circulation pump stops pumping as soon as the temperature in the pump reaches 110 degrees. That isn't enough to heat the cold water line.
I have installed these and they are the best. I have worked on the hot water recirculation systems that were designed a 100 years ago that uses a complete pipe loop from the water heater. Those are very wasteful.

[redpoint5]

I just remembered that the soaking tub in the master bath (furthest from heater) has no aerator, and turning the hot water on there delivers hot in about 5 seconds. So I guess we don't really have to wait all that long for hot water in the master if we remember to flush the cold water using the tub.

I specifically choose to put a 2 gpm shower head on because we take long showers and I wanted to reduce hot water use. Removing aerators would go against this goal.

Originally Posted by wdb

By pumping hot water into the cold water lines, if one were to then desire cold water, would one get warm or hot water instead? If so that solution is not for me. I want my cold water to actually be cold.

I was thinking this doesn't solve any problem, it simply shifts it. Instead of running the faucet to get hot water, I'll be running the faucet to get cold drinking water. Then I'd be wasting heated water instead of cold water.

[Cobb]

Your wife using hot tap water for tea? How about a hot pot or a microwavable glass? 2 minutes and you have hot water.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm considering various options not only to save resources, but also to make the wife happy. If instant hot water only costs an extra $1/mo, then it would be worth it to give my wife hot tea the moment she wants it.

[roosterk0031]

If it's down to really just needing hot water at kitchen sink to keep a happy wife (happy life), put a 2 gallon 110 volt heater there and be done.

[Cobb]

I just use my moms k cup coffee machine without a cup for hot water for a mixed drink or instant coffee.

[XYZ]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Your wife using hot tap water for tea? How about a hot pot or a microwavable glass? 2 minutes and you have hot water.

I agree that's the cheapest and easiest solution. A cup of water will come to a boil in about 3 minutes in a microwave oven. Also, tea experts say you should always start with cold water to brew tea, due to optimal oxygenation.

As for the water for the bathroom, here's what I use. Our upstairs bath is located two floors above the basement where the gas water heater is located. We pay a city water bill that is very expensive, so I wanted to avoid running and wasting gallons of water to get only a small amount of it hot. I installed a small hot water heater which holds about 1/2 gallon under the sink in the hot water line. The heating element in the tank is thermostatically controlled. The 110 volt power for it is attached to a timed circuit. I turn the timer on for about 5 minutes before using the water to wash my face and hands. The heater delivers enough warm water to use for that purpose. If I should happen to forget to turn the power off, the circuit timer shuts it off automatically. In summer I simply turn off the power to it, as it isn't necessary in warm weather. It's a relatively inexpensive system that works.

[RedDevil]

What about a quooker?
Instant boiling hot water when you need it.
No power waste when you don't.

We wanted a 3 way setup in our kitchen; cold water, hot water from the boiler (20-30 second wait), and a quooker.
But my inlaws decided to donate a close-in boiler so the quooker never came.
"Keep the wife happy", by proxy.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

What about a quooker?
Instant boiling hot water when you need it.
No power waste when you don't.

950 quid!

I'll be redoing the plumbing in the kitchen when I make a concrete countertop and put in an under-mount sink. So I think the best solution in my case will be to add a small 1/3gal instant hot water heater under the sink. She doesn't need boiling water, but 180 degrees should be fine. I'll throw the unit onto a timer so it only heats during the hours we are in the kitchen.

As far as getting hot water to the master; I reminded the wife this morning that she can blast the hot water from the tub for about 5 seconds to get hot water to the sink and shower.

[RedDevil]

We can get quookers over here for about 760 euro including taxes (they used to be cheaper, IIRC, but nvm.) But there are alternatives, like the Itho Daalderop, for half that.

Yes, even that is quite expensive. But it would save you time and money every day.