Hot water circulating ring

[LCV]

Hi,

I am having a new heating system fitted (Vaillant EcoTec Plus 637 & Everflo 250L hot water cylinder). The plumber has asked if I would like to have a hot water circulating ring. Is it worth having and how much on average does it cost to have this added in?

Thanks.

 

[chris watkins]

Hi LCV, I think by "hot water circulating ring" you mean a secondary hot water return circuit.

This is used to reduce the length of time it takes for hot water to reach the taps from the hot water cylinder & thereby the wastage of water / energy. (covered in Part L & G of the Building Regulations)

So the main factor is where the un-vented hot water cylinder will be installed in relation to the hot water outlet points?

If any are going to be 4 floors away then you may well need one.

As to the cost that is dependant on the length of the runs & the type of circulator selected.

One thing to ensure is that ALL the pipework is insulated both the flow & returns.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

is there any bathrooms/hot outlets very far away?

 

[LCV]

The house is over 4 floors. There is a bathroom on each of the floors and a WC on the ground floor.
The boiler and cylinder will be housed in the utility room on ground floor.

Thanks again!

 

[Neil K]

Yes, definitely worth putting in. He's following good practice if secondary hw return (also known as hw re circulation ) is what you mean.

 

[gassafe]

Insulate the return & have it on timer or even a timer on a pipe stat to be as efficient as possible.

The secondary return ensures your not drawing off large quantities of cold water before the hot comes!

 

[LCV]

Thanks for your replies.

Gassafe - regarding insulating and timer, is this something that I have to actually request for or would it be done as standard? Is there anything else I need to request for?

Are there any particular brands of circulating rings that are better than others?

I have been quoted £1150+VAT extra to add the circulating ring. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks

 

[markfxy]

sounds about right to me bronze pumps are expensive as is good quality insulation which is often more than the cost of pipe, then there the cost of controls pipe cable etc now its itemised sounds cheap!

 

[Howsie]

Catch up!

 

[Riley]

Ha ha thought it was another new one for a mo