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Tankless recirculation system
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Illustrations on this page are from tankless manufacturer's specification sheets
The sheets are not dated, and could be outdated
... however these sheets all show tankless recirculation system requires small electric heater ... presumably to ensure long term reliability of installation.

Folks email frequently asking if they have to use the small electric heater?
Some report that recirculation pump sellers claim their pumps work with a tankless without needing small electric heater ...why? Because their pumps produce enough water flow to activate tankless sensors and turn on heater.
I tell these folks, give it a try ... but be aware ... (1) reliable long term function is the point of DIY projects .... (2) recirculating systems have a myriad of problems without adding a demand they activate tankless heater ... (3) tankless heaters have a lot of problems ... (4) the goal of pump sellers is to sell stuff that works until the return-window expires ... (5) long-term reliability of DIY project and selling stuff often share little in common.

Some tankless manufacturer's have a built-in recirculation pump ... but again ... (1) recirculating systems have problems especially if plumbing is old, water is hard, distances are great, there are a lot of tees and elbows, the home has two water heaters and some faucets share a common hot line, the home has plumbing problems such as faulty check valve, clogged line, leaking single-handled faucet cartridge (crossover) etc. ... (2) tankless heaters have a lot of problems on their own that can be tricky to diagnose, not really DIY repair since there are no service manuals, and often scant resources for repair ... especially in areas that don't have experienced service people who work on your brand heater.
Installing a tankless with built-in recirculating system seems like an expense waiting to happen sooner rather than later ... but then your purchase of a product is the goal of the free market experience ... and sellers use you to experiment with the viability of products, and only need to wait until the warranty period expires or fall back on the 'exceptions-to-warranty' to see if the product works across a broad spectrum of installations.
Taco recirculation systems  
Taco

Buy from my affiliate links:
Taco recirculation systems

Resource:
General Taco manual
General manual
Figure flow rates
Basic pump science/ pdf
How to choose circulator pump
Grundfos recirculation systems
Grundfos UP series

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Grundfos recirculation systems
Replacement crossover valve
Clip-on thermostat control
UP circulator timer

Resource:
General product manual
UP Specification sheet
Troubleshoot Grundfos pump
watts recirculation systems
Watts

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Watts recirculation systems
Replacement crossover valve
Watts sensor valve kit

Resource:
Watts recirculation manual
Install/ maintenance tips
Tankless recirculation system
Larger image
Best design
Direct return line: Set temperature of small tank at 105-120°F
20 gallon tank will heat recirculation water
You can use 2.5, 6, 10 or 20 gallon, however the outlet nipple size varies. Plumbing for main line from water heater  has 3/4" pipe. Installing small heater with 1/2" nipple will constrict water flow.
If you have direct return line, as shown in first illustration, then the smaller 1/2" nipple will work for the small tank.
Tankless manufacturers suggest installing 20 gallon electric tank heater. Water must circulate through small water heater to ensure there is hot water in the recirculation loop. Reason: small pump cannot reliably activate tankless burner or element.

Three Illustrations show:
-Top two: direct return line/
-Bottom: without direct return line
-Direct return line is better installation
-System can have faucets that are not connected to recirculation loop... add a 3 gallon under counter water heater to this faucet

Water flow causes pressure
-Check valve can be added on direct return hot water line as shown.
-Install check valve to cold water line on loop without direct return.
The small pump creates pressure. The check valve between tankless and recirculation loop (on top illustration) will keep recirculation pump from pushing water into tankless. Result: the pump is recirculating hot water in the loop.
Using hot water during a shower also causes pressure... and when tankless is being operated, the other check valve will keep water from being pushed into small tank and backwards through recirculation loop.

Water flow can cause suction.
For example if end of garden hose is left inside a pond after filling pond.... and you turn on water tap inside house... the pull of water can draw water from the pond into the house if the outdoor spigot has a small seep.
To prevent problem, add anti-siphon connection on outdoor spigots.

In the case of recirculation pumps, the water flow is not very strong, and the system is a closed loop... a closed loop is not drawing water like an open spigot... and the 1/25 Hp recirculation pump is not moving the water very fast, so drawing cold water into the loop is not an issue.

Which 20 gallon water heater?
For whole house, use water heater with 3/4" pipe connections.
Under counter water heater with 1/2" connections is too small for household size recirculation system. 1/2" is for single faucet
Resources:
Compare small water heaters

Resources:
Rheem-tankless-recirculation-system2.pdf
Rheem-tankless-recirculation-system.pdf
Using-point-of-use-recirculation.pdf
Tankless-recirculation.pdf
Nortiz-tankless-recirculation-diagram.pdf
Water heater valves

Which recirculation pump?
Each plumbing system is different... distance, diameter of pipe, condition of pipe, number of elbows, ...  effect flow of water.
Resources:
How-to-choose-proper-circulator-pump.pdf
Compare recirculation pumps
Why isn't there a stronger recirculation pump?
Oversized pump on residential pipe might cause water bubbles, and no water movement. Result: resistance caused by the pipe can overheat pump.
Tankless recirculation system
Larger image
Connect Hot from tankless to cold water inlet on small hot water heater
Direct return line: Set temperature of small tank to 105-120°F
Tankless recirculation system
Larger image
No return line/ not best design
Check valve
Swing check valve must be installed in horizontal position ... Grundfos series household series pump must be installed in vertical position as shown ... consult product manuals ... the illustration shows relative location of parts.
Swing check valve
Swing check valve
Look at directional arrow located on check valve
Make sure arrow is same direction as flow of water.
Most check valves depend on gravity to close the flapper and must be installed in horizontal position. Installing in vertical position stops function.
Buy:
Swing check valve at Amazon

Low pressure
Does check valve reduce pressure?
Check valve would have minimal affect on water pressure, Unless check valve is stuck with sediment build-up, or lost its seal so water is flowing backwards.

Resources on low pressure
Low-hot-water-pressure.html
Crossover.html
Swing check valve
Check valve swings open when water passes one direction. And swings closed when water tries to pass other direction: Lets water pass one direction, but not other direction.
Why is check valve important?
With some installations, recirculation system loop can draw cold water into hot pipe causing cold flashes during shower. This occurs during heavy use periods.
Or with the direct return loop type installation, the recirculation loop can lose pressure or lose recirculation effect when cold or hot is drawn elsewhere in the plumbing system.

If check valve is used elsewhere in plumbing system, and check valve goes bad, it can cause crossover, where cold enters hot pipe and hot water never arrives at faucet:
Or a bad check valve can cause high or low pressure
Swimming pool, or outdoor ponds: If water hose is left in pool or pond or puddle of water, then using water inside home can draw this unsanitary water back through water hose and into home water pipes. Install swing check valve. Do not leave hoses on ground. Or in pool.
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Swing check valve at Amazon

Resources
Crossover
Low hot water pressure
Why air vent?
Recirculation pumps can cause air bubbles as the impeller spins.
Air bubbles cause noise in pump and plumbing pipes.
Air bubbles can cause water to stop circulating, and cause overheated pump.
Air vent releases air trapped in the water line. Air vent has 1/4" pipe thread/ install ordinary plumbing tee and use 1/4" reducing bushing / use teflon tape on 1/4" pipe thread
Install at highest point in recirculation loop.
Buy air vent:
Air vent/ Float vent
expansion tank
Installed on cold water line
Expansion tanks at Amazon

expansion tank
Why expansion tank on cold water line?
Expansion tank is installed on the incoming cold water line.
In some tankless recirculation drawings, expansion tank is located on hot water line of recirculation loop.
Generally, however, the recirculation loop will not need expansion tank.
However, if the small water heater is set to very high temperatures (135+), then it can cause thermal expansion on the 'closed' recirculation loop.
Remember, the recirculation loop is 'closed' because of the check valve between tankless and recirculation loop. Any closed system is risk for thermal expansion, especially if water heater is set for very high temperature. Tank temperature for the 20 gallon should be 120°F or less since typical hand wash would be 110°. Temperatures over 140°F pose serious risk of scald and should never be present in a residential water heating system unless sterilization is needed. Use a mixing valve and separate hot water lines for safety.
Most cases, the expansion tank on cold water line will ensure that plumbing lines are not vulnerable to thermal expansion, or high pressure that can cause damage to pipes and fixtures and water heaters.
Buy:
Expansion tanks at Amazon

Resources
Thermal expansion and closed system
Expansion Tank Installation pdf
Advantages mixing valve 
Closed system: the need for expansion tank.
-Water expands as it is heated. When a water heater is running, the 'thermal expansion causes the volume of water to increase, causing increase in water pressure, putting pressure on the tank, pipes, and fittings.
Resources
Thermal expansion and closed system

-'In an open system the increase in water pressure flows back into the city water supply.' In a water well service, the pressure goes back into the pressure tank located at well.

-'In a closed system, the increase in pressure is blocked from flowing back into city water supply. The resulting thermal expansion can create a rapid and dangerous pressure increase in the water heater and the system piping.' Symptoms include release of water from TP valve, bulging water heater or pipes, and premature tank failure.
Correctly sized expansion tank on incoming COLD water line solves problem of thermal expansion.

-Your water system probably does not have a pressure issue unless you have a pressure reducing valve on the incoming cold water line, high incoming water pressure over 80 psi from the city supply (put pressure gauge on outdoor spigot to check), a check valve on incoming cold water supply, or very high thermostat setting on water heater.
-Often local codes require an expansion tank as nod to the plumbing industry and not particularly because of need.

With the direct return line installation, do the Check valves on the Hot pipes of recirculating system cause a 'closed system?'
I don't know for certain. But let's look at some factors:
1) The recirculation check valve from tankless is open when the tankless is supplying hot water to end user .... so we know for certain the expansion tank will protect during tankless operation.
2) Expansion tanks are typically installed on incoming cold water supply line, but with the small tank, the incoming 'cold water supply line' is cut off by a check valve when the tankless is off and recirculating pump is operating, so technically this could cause a closed system.
3) There is no way to know if the check valves will cause a pressure problem until the small tank is in operation, and then the symptom would be discharging TP valve on small tank, or explosion of hot water when tap is turned on.
4) The small tank might not cause a lot of expansion. If the system has direct return line, the thermostat on small tank does not have to be set same temperature as tankless. Since the average hot temperature at tap is 104°, the small tank thermostat can be set at 110° (to compensate for heat loss in pipe) ... and the lack of very hot water would minimize (or eliminate) thermal expansion... the more the circulating pump runs the more the heat would dissipate, and the less expansion on line.
5) Most but not all tankless recirculating diagrams show the check valves. The newer diagrams all show the check valves for the direct return line installation.
6) In one older tankless recirculation drawing, expansion tank is located on hot water line of recirculation loop. Resource: Nortiz .pdf
However every new drawing available from manufacturer shows the expansion tank on incoming cold water line, same as illustrations on this webpage.
Since the .pdf files posted on this webpage predominately show the check valves, and show a single expansion tank on incoming cold water line, my best guess is that thermal expansion on the recirculation loop is not an issue.

Temporary pressure gauge
Avoid water pressure over 80psi
Save cost of water heater replacement and plumbing repairs
Resources
Water pressure: Pressure over 80 psi can damage water heater
High pressure will also shorten life of plumbing fixtures, and cause washing machine hoses to rupture, etc.
Symptoms: TP valve goes bad frequently. Cause: Closed system because of check valve or faulty pressure valve, or community water problem or water well pressure set too high.
Test and diagnose TP valve problems
Connect pressure gauge to water heater drain valve to accurately check pressure.
Install pressure reducing valve. Replace check valve. People with water well > turn down pressure on water well > save both hot and cold water, save electricity, and well equipment lasts longer.

Buy:
Water pressure gauge
Pressure reducing valve
Temperature-pressure gauge
Pressure gages at Amazon

Resources
How to test pressure
Test and diagnose TP valve problems
Crossover valve

Buy:
Replacement crossover valve
Watts sensor valve kit
Applies to Taco, Grundfos and Watts. Does not apply to Laing
Crossover valve installs under sink, and allows hot water to circulate from hot side to cold side. Purpose of crossover valve: When recirculation pump is ON, the crossover valve opens and lets hot water circulate back to water heater through the cold water line. Immediate hot water is available at the faucet. When you turn on cold water at the faucet, the crossover valve closes, allowing cold water to enter the faucet.
Note: Cold is not available immediately at the faucet.
Taco recirculation systems  
Taco
Install pump at water heater
Install crossover under sink
Choose timed or thermostat operation
Plug into 120V outlet
1 year warranty with receipt
Buy:
Taco recirculation systems
Resources
General Taco manual
General manual
Figure flow rates for recirculation pumps
Basic pump science/ pdf
Read more about recirculation
Grundfos recirculation systems
Grundfos
Install pump at water heater
Illustration shows typical water heater model
Install crossover under sink
Choose timed or thermostat operation
Plug into 120V outlet/ draws 1/4 amp
2 year warranty with receipt
Buy:
Grundfos recirculation systems at Amazon
Replacement crossover valve
Clip-on thermostat control
Cast iron flange set for flanged pumps
Resources
General Grundfos product manual
Can use on tankless 0-9 GPM
How to choose proper circulator pump
watts recirculation systems
Watts
Install pump at water heater
Install crossover under sink
Choose timed or thermostat operation
Plug into 120V outlet
1 year warranty with receipt
Buy:
Watts recirculation systems
Replacement crossover valve
Watts sensor valve kit
Resources
Watts recirculation system manual
Do not install on tankless
Tankless require .5 GPM
Laing recirculation systems
Laing Thermotech
Install under sink/ built- in crossover valve
Pump and crossover built into same unit
Choose timed or thermostat operation
Plug into 120V outlet
2 year warranty with receipt
Buy:
Laing recirculation systems
Resources
Autocirc manual
ACT 909 tankless recirculation pump manual
E10 autocirc manual
Laing Thermotech
Read more about recirculation
Reliance water heater
Reliance
6-10 gallon
Side connections/
6 year warranty
Buy:
Reliance water heaters
12-3 extension cords
12-3 Southwire cable
Resources
Reliance manual
State manual
American tiny titan water heater
American
6-12 gal
Top connections/
6 year warranty
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American tiny at Amazon
12-3 extension cords
12-3 Southwire cable
Resources
American manual
State point of use water heater
Rheem
2-6-10-20 gallon
Side connections/
6 year warranty
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Rheem point of use
12-3 extension cords
12-3 Southwire cable
Resources
Rheem manual
grundfos thermostat
Use with UP series pump and timer
grundfos thermostat
Grundfos UP series
Clip on thermostat control
120 volt thermostat-switch clips onto water line
Lets you control pump or any 120 volt circuit based on temperature of copper water pipe.
Continuous operation: The electric cost varies .... pump is usually 1/16 Hp, or 47 watts = 138 Kwh per year = $14-18 for 1 year operation.
The pump does not harm anything if left ON ... except shorten lifespan of product so you would need to calculate replacement cost... or use clip on thermostat, ... you would splice the thermostat into the recirculation pump cord on the black Hot wire that goes to pump.
Buy:
Aquastats at Amazon
Residential:
3/4" 595444  ON at 85°/ OFF at 105°
Commercial installation or long run of pipe before arriving at tap.
1/2" 595656 ON at 105°/ OFF at 115°
3/4" 595657 ON at 105°/ OFF at 115°

Local YMCA hot tub = temperature 105°/ Typical shower-bath = 110°F
24 hour programmable timer for UP series pumps
Grundfos recirculation systems at Amazon
UP series pump at Amazon

Resource:
Clip on thermostat manual
UP series specification sheet
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