Product Review: WaterQuick Bridge Valve by FasterHotWater.com

Greg Reviews the WaterQuick standard recirculation pump system with the bridge valve by Faster Hot Water.com

This system accommodates all home plumbing setups: tankless or tank water heaters and both homes with and without a recirculation return line. The key part of this system and this review is the bridge valve which is located at each affected faucet. One or more may be installed.

For systems without a recirculation line, a high capacity automatic bridge valve is provided for installation at the point of use. This valve will then allow cool water to be pushed back into the cold water supply until the hot water arrives at the sink. We found that a bridge valve for each affected sink works much better than a dedicated recirculation line.

In a previous review we looked at replacing a standard recirculation pump with the WaterQuick version. The time of hot water delivery was about the same, but while running the recirculation pump a small fraction of the time, saving energy and pipe wear.

For the installation in the video, the pump was actually removed from the recirculation line and installed as if the home did not have one.

How it Works

Most recirculation systems sacrifice energy efficiency to save water by providing hot water faster than a system without one. This system includes a .

The WaterQuick system runs a slightly faster recirculation pump on demand, saving water, but also saving energy. When hot water demand is sensed, the system is triggered. Therefore, to take the best advantage of it, it is best to start hot water flow for about a second, about a minute before hot water use is actually planned. For example, trigger the hot water pump on the way TO the toilet, so it's ready when you're out.

The system includes a bridge valve which connects the hot and cold lines under the affected sink with a thermostatically controlled valve. When the pump activates cool water from the hot-water line is pushed into the cold side until hot water arrives. Then the valve closes and hot water is only a very short distance from the faucet itself.

 

In the subject home, the recirculation line was some distance from the faucet and it still took a minute or more to get hot water to the sink. So, the pump was removed from the recirculation line and placed in line with the water heater's hot-water-out line. Now, when the pump is triggered (by hot water use anywhere in the house) the pump delivers hot water all the way to the faucets that have the bridge valve installed.

Other bridge valves are available on the market. WaterQuick's bridge valve has a high capacity and adjustable temperature threshold, which makes it stand out from the competition.

Since hot water use anywhere in the house will trigger the pump, hot water is available in the sinks equipped with the bridge valve in just a very few seconds (2-4 seconds in our test). Now that's amazing!

Personal Perspective

As a plumber I am paid to remove many of the timer controlled pumps because the customers first paid to install a system then the water heating bill went up. This FasterHotWater.com pump system reviewed here is very smart, simple, cost effective and a best choice.

Purchase

Models are available for both homeowner DIY installation and professional installation.
Professionals (plumbers, handyman, etc) please contact greg@ramonasplumber.com

See the video on my YouTube channel