Scope
To minimize water waste at hot water faucets:
- Design a compact plumbing distribution system.
- Use a recirculation line (or hot water priming loop) and short “branches” to each hot water fixture.
See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, ENERGY STAR Single-Family New Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.
Description
To reduce water use and energy losses associated with hot water, homes should be designed with plumbing layouts and hot water distribution systems that reduce the amount of time it takes for hot water to get from the water heater to each plumbing fixture. Traditional hot water distribution systems consist of a trunk and branch distribution with a relatively long and large diameter main line feeding smaller branches that flowed directly to plumbing fixtures or split to serve multiple fixtures. Even in relatively small homes of 1200 square feet, the volume to the furthest fixture can exceed 1.5 gallons and the time-to-tap can be more than 90 seconds.
One water and time saving alternative is to install a circulation loop that brings the supply portion of the loop close to each plumbing fixture or appliance. The most energy efficient way to operate the pump is to use demand – initiated controls. As shown in Figure 1, a circulating pump draws hot water through the supply portion of the loop and returns to the water heater any ambient-temperature water residing within the loop. Ideally the circulation loop should be located where it can be kept as short as possible and within 10 feet of every fixture (Acker and Klein 2006).
Demand-initiated recirculation systems have been found to be more energy-efficient than other timer-or temperature-based recirculation systems, because hot water is only drawn into the recirculation loop when hot water is needed. When the user activates the pump by pushing a button or via a motion sensor located near the hot-water fixture, a sensor measures the starting (ambient) temperature of the water in the pipe. The controls allow the pump to operate until a small rise in temperature has been measured (typically 5F). The Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) specification also allows recirculation systems that operate based on “adaptive” scheduling, meaning that they “learn” the hot water demand profile in the home and adapt their operation to meet the occupant’s schedule.
Demand-initiated circulation systems offer builders more flexibility than other techniques for reducing hot water delays because they can be installed to accommodate the layouts in a wide variety of floor plans. Some floor plans may benefit from the installation of more than one circulation loop, each with its own pump and controls.
How to Design a Demand Plumbing Distribution System:
- Designate a proposed location for all hot water plumbing fixtures and appliances. Best practice design specifies that hot water fixtures be as close to the water heater as possible to minimize heat loss in pipes.
- Design plumbing trunks and branches to store as little water as possible by running the smallest diameter pipe allowed by code between the hot water source and each fixture.
- To achieve a higher level of efficiency, calculate the stored volume between each water source and water use point and ensure that not more than 0.5 gallons of water is stored between the water source and the use point. If the volume between each water source and water use point is more than 0.5 gallons, redesign the floor plan and plumbing layout until it is less than 0.5 gallons. See the Compliance tab for information regarding pipe volume per length for various pipe diameters.
- Record all plumbing design features on plumbing diagram (Figure 2).
- Install the circulation loop and branches to according to the codes outlined in the Compliance tab (including correct pipe diameter and insulation). The minimum diameter on the supply and return portions of the loop shall not be less than ¾ inch nominal. For more information on pipe insulation, see the guide Pipes in Exterior Walls.
- Install all pumps, controls and sensors according to the plumbing diagram and manufacturers instructions. Controls should shut off the pump when the correct change in temperature is measured. Controls should also have a feature to prevent operation if the water is above 105°F.
- Commission the system. See Inspection and Verification Guidance for WaterSense Labeled New Homes for more information.
Another efficient plumbing layout method to consider is Core Plumbing.
Success
Ensure all hot water pipes are adequately insulated throughout the home. Insulation can help save energy on water heating costs, especially in households with multiple hot water draws in a row (example: many morning showers). The 2015 IECC states that all piping ¾ inch nominal and larger shall be insulated. In addition there are certain cases where insulation is also required on smaller diameter piping. For more information see the guide Pipes in Exterior Walls.
Wherever possible, locate both hot and cold water pipes on interior walls as an extra precaution against freezing conditions. When water pipes must be located on the exterior wall of the home, ensure they are located toward the inside of the wall, yet still surrounded by at least 1 inch of insulation. Be aware of interior freezing conditions during long vacation periods.
EPA WaterSense Inspection Protocol
For builders seeking certification through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, a verifier will test all hot water delivery systems to ensure compliance with the HCO's WACM (WaterSense Approved Certification Method) requirements using the testing protocol described in the Compliance tab.
Climate
No climate-specific information applies.
Training
Compliance
Compliance
The Compliance tab contains both program and code information. Code language is excerpted and summarized below. For exact code language, refer to the applicable code, which may require purchase from the publisher. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (Revision 07)
Exhibit 1 Mandatory Requirements.
Exhibit 1, Item 1) Certified under the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Program or the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Program.
Exhibit 1, Item 4) Hot water delivery systems (distributed and central) shall meet efficient design requirements
Or, Water heaters and fixtures shall meet efficiency criteria. (See Endnote16 below for a description of this alternative.)
The EPA WaterSense Single-Family Home Specification (Version 2.0, effective February 2021) requires builders to achieve a 30% water savings or higher, compared to typical new construction. Efficient hot water distribution systems may contribute to that 30% savings. Builders should refer to the specific HCO's WACM for specific requirements.
However, the following characteristics may be considered as general guidance and best practices: To minimize water wasted while waiting for hot water, the hot water distribution system shall store no more than 0.5 gallons (1.9 liters) of water in any piping/manifold between the hot water source and any hot water fixture. In the case of occupant-controlled or occupancy sensor-based recirculation systems, the 0.5-gallon (1.9-liter) storage limit shall be measured from the point where the branch feeding the fixture branches off the recirculation loop, to the fixture itself. To verify the system stores no more than 0.5 gallons (1.9 liters), verifiers shall calculate the stored volume using the piping or tubing inside diameter and the length of the piping/tubing.
System options include manifold-fed systems; structured plumbing systems; core plumbing layouts, and on-demand recirculation systems. Dependent on the WACM, the following requirements may apply to recirculation systems:
- Recirculation systems must be based on an occupant-controlled switch or an occupancy sensor, installed in each bathroom which is located beyond a 0.5 gallon stored-volume range from the water heater.
- Recirculation systems which operate based on “adaptive” scheduling, meaning that they “learn” the hot water demand profile in the home and adapt their operation to anticipate this profile, are permitted at this time, and do not require the use of occupant-controlled switches or occupancy sensors.
- Recirculation systems that are activated based solely on a timer and/or temperature sensor are not eligible.
Table 1 shows the volume of water for various pipe widths and lengths and maximum pipe length suggested between the water source and the use point for various pipe sizes to meet the 0.5-gallon efficiency.
The ZERH program require a test to ensure that hot water waste is minimized in certified homes.
To account for the additional water that must be removed from the system before hot water can be delivered, no more than 0.6 gallons (2.3 liters) of water shall be collected from the hot water fixture before hot water is delivered.” Recirculation systems must be based on an occupant-controlled switch or an occupancy sensor. Recirculation systems that are activated based solely on a timer and/or temperature sensor do not meet this requirement. Recirculation systems which operate based on “adaptive” scheduling, meaning that they “learn” the hot water demand profile in the home and adapt their operation to meet this profile, are permitted at this time. To verify that the system meets the 0.6 gallon (2.3 liter) limit, verifiers shall first initiate operation of occupant-controlled or occupancy sensor-based recirculation systems, if present, and let such systems run for at least 40 seconds. Next, a bucket or flow measuring bag (pre-marked for 0.6 gallons) shall be placed under the hot water fixture. The hot water shall be turned on completely, a digital thermometer placed in the stream of water just where it meets the water being collected, and the starting temperature recorded. Once the water reaches the pre-marked line (approximately 24 seconds for a lavatory faucet), the water shall be turned off and the ending temperature reading at the same location recorded. The temperature must increase by 10 °F. Only the fixture with the greatest stored volume between the fixture and the hot water source (or recirculation loop) needs to be tested.
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Endnote 16, Alternative to Testing: Water heaters and fixtures in single family homes and in multifamily dwellings with their own independent water heater meet the following efficiency criteria: a. Gas water heaters, if present, shall have an Energy Factor ≥ 0.90 or a Uniform Energy Factor ≥ 0.87 b. Electric water heaters, if present, shall have an Energy Factor ≥ 2.2 or a Uniform Energy Factor ≥ 2.2 c. All showerheads and bathroom sink faucets shall be WaterSense labeled. d. The hot water distribution system shall store no more than 1.2 gallons between the hot water source and the furthest fixture. This shall be verified by either 1) a calculation using the piping or tubing interior diameter and the system length based on plans, or 2) by a field verification test, using the protocol described in Endnote 15, which demonstrates a minimum temperature rise of 10 °F by the time 1.4 gallons of water is delivered to the furthest hot water fixture. These provisions do not apply to multifamily buildings with central hot water delivery systems. These project types must instead satisfy the Efficient Hot Water Distribution provision instead (see the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements for information on multifamily systems and additional advisories).
2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Section R403.3 (R403.4 in 2015 and 2018 IECC) Mechanical system piping capable of carrying fluids above 105 °F (41 °C) or below 55 °F (13 °C) shall be insulated to a minimum of R-3.
Retrofit: 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and 2021 IECC
Section R101.4.3 (in 2009 and 2012). Additions, alterations, renovations, or repairs shall conform to the provisions of this code, without requiring the unaltered portions of the existing building to comply with this code. (See code for additional requirements and exceptions.)
Chapter 5 (in 2015, 2018, 2021). The provisions of this chapter shall control the alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy of existing buildings and structures.
Follow the requirements for plumbing diameter found in Chapter 6, Water Supply and Distribution, of the 2012 Uniform Plumbing Code.
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Demand Pumping System =
Traditional hot water distribution systems consist of a trunk and branch layout. This consists of a relatively long, large-diameter main line that feeds smaller branches that flow to plumbing fixtures or split to serve multiple fixtures. Even in relatively small homes of 1,200 square feet, the volume to the furthest fixture can exceed 1.5 gallons and the time to the tap can be more than 90 seconds. An effective option for saving water in new homes is to lay out the plumbing in "series" to each fixture and appliance with a dedicated return to the water heater from the most remote location (This is called "structured plumbing"). An in-line pump is installed near the water heater to move the cold water sitting in the pipes back through the water heater before it comes out of the hot water tap, to reduce the amount of water wasted while waiting for hot water. A similar system can be set up for existing homes that locates the pump at the most remote fixture. To save energy, the pump can be set up as an "on-demand" system that is activated by a sensor or switch to avoid the needless calculation of hot water that occurs with inefficient, continuously recirculating pump systems. DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program requires that no more than 0.6 gallons of hot water be discharged from a hot water fixture before hot water delivery. Recirculation pump systems must be based on an occupant-controlled switch or an occupancy sensor.