I wanted to share my experience with transitioning from a traditional tank water heater to a tankless system. While the tankless heater has many advantages, I faced a challenge with the recirculation pump, especially given the long length of my recirculation loop. The pump would turn off as soon as a faucet was opened, leaving downstream faucets without immediate hot water.
After some research and experimentation, I found a solution using a combination of smart switches and automation. I set up a system where the recirculation pump runs for 20 minutes after a faucet is turned on, ensuring hot water is available throughout the house. For the dishwasher, I extended this to 2.5 hours to accommodate its frequent water usage.
This setup has been working exceptionally well, and I’ve included my rules below for anyone interested in implementing a similar solution. It’s been a great way to maintain consistent hot water without the inefficiencies of a traditional tank system.
If anyone has questions or suggestions, I’d be happy to discuss further!