Smart Hot Water Recirc System

[Stevemo]

I would appreciate any input on implementing a "smart" hot water recirculation system for in my home. The pump manufacturers have some options but I'm not sure if I want to try their controls or go with Caseta.

The basic problem is that I've installed 3/4" recirc and feed pipes in my house and put an on-demand heater a long ways from the bathrooms. The sink faucets will never be able to move enough water to see hot water arrive so I need to set up the recirc pump before I take out the conventional 1/2" plumbing system with hot water tank.

Options from the pump manufacturers include:

• ECM motor;
• Aquastat to turn off pump when hot water returns from recirc;
• Motion sensors to trigger pump;
• Buttons to trigger pump; and
• 7-day schedule learning.

The good news is that they do not offer all of these options in one package...

I'm kind of leaning towards the aquastat and schedule learning option but I don't like that it doesn't have an external trigger: Smart Plus-e Instruction Sheet (tacocomfort.com)

Can I do work this into Caseta or make something similar? The Aquastat is a 10k thermistor so cutting into that control loop would take some thinking.

Cheers, Steve

[Brandon W.]

Hello Steve,

Thanks for the information. Do you have any specification on the ECM motor? Ideally, how much horsepower it is pulling? The Outdoor Smart Plug model PD-15OUT-BL can handle up to 1/2 HP motor/pump loads at 120 V. Please see the spec sheet here: pdfformfields_file_11pages.pdf (lutron.com)