Monday, October 13, 2008

Doing Our Bit

In our household waiting for hot water wastes thousands of gallons of water each year, so we installed a hot water recirculation pump. Although the current low cost of clean water didn’t justify the purchase, we decided to do our bit for the environment, not to mention stimulate the sagging economy, by investing about $700 in the pump, including installation. It was placed beneath the kitchen sink, the faucet that is farthest from the water heater.

Pressing the hard-wired button or activating the wireless remote control causes the pump to draw water from the hot water line and force it back through the cold. The pump shuts off when the water turns warm. We still have to wait about the same amount of time—about 90 seconds--but at least clean water isn’t going down the drain. Perhaps it’s so obvious that it doesn’t deserve mention, but because hot water loops throughout the house, the recirculation pump saves water at each hot water outlet, not just at the kitchen sink.

My deliberate strategy of procrastinating on home improvement appears to be paying off, as the gadgets to improve our quality of life and/or help the environment are getting cheaper and better each year.

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