Recirculation Pump Savings Calculator
See how much energy you use (and how much you can save) by putting your hot water recirculation pump on a timer instead of running it continuously 24/7.
Table of Contents
Parameters
Average residential pump is 20W - 40W.
National average is ~$0.16/kWh.
Example: 3 hrs morning + 3 hrs evening = 6 hours total.
Annual Electricity Cost
Note: This calculator estimates the electricity used directly by the pump motor. It does NOT include the extra energy your water heater consumes to continually reheat the water cooling in the pipes while the pump is running, which is typically much larger than the pump's electricity usage.
Recirculation Energy & Water Formula
Recirculation pumps provide instant hot water, avoiding plumbing purge water waste. However, keeping the loop hot 24/7 increases standby pipe heat loss, so using a timer is highly recommended.
Formula Used
Annual Water Waste = Water wasted per event (GPM * Wait Time) * Daily Events * 365 days
Reference Quick Chart
| Recirculation Strategy | Water Saved | standby Energy Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous (No Timer) | Highest (10,000+ Gal/yr) | High Standby Cost ($150-$250/yr) |
| Smart Timer Scheduled | High (9,500+ Gal/yr) | Low Standby Cost ($30-$60/yr) |
| On-Demand Push Button | High (9,500+ Gal/yr) | Virtually Zero stand-by cost |
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