Hot Water Secondary Return Pumps Explained: How They Deliver Instant Hot Water and Save Money
Waiting for hot water to arrive at a tap is something most homeowners accept as normal. Whether it’s the kitchen sink, bathroom basin, or shower, it’s common to let cold water run for 20–60 seconds before hot water finally appears. Over time, this delay wastes thousands of litres of clean, treated water and adds unnecessary cost to household energy bills.
A hot water secondary return pump, also known as a hot water recirculation pump, solves this problem by ensuring hot water is always available at your taps almost instantly. When installed correctly, it not only improves comfort but can also save water, energy, and money over the course of a year.
This article explains how hot water secondary return pumps work, why they are becoming increasingly popular in UK homes, and how much water they can realistically save in a typical household.
What Is a Hot Water Secondary Return Pump?
A hot water secondary return pump is a small circulation pump installed into a domestic hot water system. Its purpose is simple:
To keep hot water circulating through the pipework so it is immediately available when a tap is opened.
Instead of hot water sitting idle in the pipes and cooling down between uses, the pump gently moves it back to the hot water source (such as a cylinder or boiler) via a return line or a dedicated recirculation path.
As a result:
- Hot water reaches taps almost instantly
- Cold water no longer needs to be run down the drain
- Pipework stays at a stable temperature
- DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL - Our secondary Bronze Pump is an ideal choice when installing a secondary hot water circulator in both residential and commercial buildings. It has a Glandless Circulation Pump, which eliminates the worry of water spilling from any place.
- BRONZE BODY - The body of our pump is bronze, so it does not react with the constantly refilled water, keeping the water oxygenated; all other ordinary pumps would fail in this respect due to their material composition.
- NO WASTE - Our Secondary Hot Water Circuit with a circulating pump will solve your problems, guaranteeing that no water is wasted because hot water is always flowing, even from the farthest away tap.
- SPECIFICATIONS - Our Hot Water Circulating Pump has a max head of 6 meters, a Power Supply of 230V 50 Hz, and has the highest efficiency of Hot water at 50 Celsius.
- CONVENIENT - Simple installation requires only a wrench to connect the pump to the pipeline, saving you money on plumbers. In the past, it took a good few minutes to get hot water; with this, you'd only have to wait for just seconds.
How Does a Hot Water Recirculation Pump Work?
In a typical UK home without a recirculation system, hot water travels from the boiler or cylinder to the tap only when the tap is opened. Any water left in the pipes cools down between uses.
A hot water secondary return pump changes this by:
- Circulating hot water continuously or on demand
- Returning unused hot water back to the cylinder
- Keeping pipework primed with hot water
Modern systems can be:
- Timer-controlled
- Thermostatically controlled
- Demand-controlled (activated by a button or sensor)
This means the pump only runs when needed, keeping energy use to a minimum.
Why Homeowners Want Instant Hot Water
The benefits go far beyond convenience.
1. No More Waiting at the Tap
Hot water is available within seconds, even at the furthest outlet in the house.
2. Reduced Water Waste
No more letting litres of cold water run down the drain while waiting for heat.
3. Lower Water Bills
Although water is relatively inexpensive in the UK, wasted water adds up quickly across a year.
4. Improved Energy Efficiency
Less reheating of cold pipework means reduced demand on the boiler or immersion heater.
How Much Water Is Wasted Without a Recirculation Pump?
Let’s look at a realistic UK example.
Typical Scenario
- Average wait time for hot water: 30 seconds
- Flow rate of a tap: 6 litres per minute
- Water wasted per use: ~3 litres
Daily Usage
Assume:
- 4 people in a household
- Each person uses hot water taps 4 times per day
That’s:
- 16 hot water uses per day
- 16 × 3 litres = 48 litres wasted per day
Annual Water Waste
48 litres × 365 days = 17,520 litres per year
That’s over 17,000 litres of perfectly clean water wasted annually in a typical household.
In homes with long pipe runs or multiple bathrooms, this figure can easily exceed 25,000 litres per year.
How a Hot Water Secondary Return Pump Saves Water
A properly installed recirculation pump can reduce this waste by 80–90%.
Using the example above:
- Annual waste without pump: ~17,520 litres
- Water saved with pump (85%): ~14,900 litres per year
That’s nearly 15 cubic metres of water saved every year—per household.
Does a Hot Water Recirculation Pump Save Money?
Yes, in two main ways:
1. Reduced Water Costs
While UK water charges vary by region, average combined water and sewerage costs are around £2.00–£2.50 per cubic metre.
Saving 15 cubic metres per year = £30–£38 annually on water alone.
2. Reduced Energy Loss
Every time cold water sits in hot pipes, energy is lost. Recirculation systems:
- Reduce boiler cycling
- Minimise reheating of pipework
- Improve system efficiency
When combined with timers or thermostatic controls, energy consumption remains very low.
The Tower Bronze Hot Water Recirculation Pump (BRZPUMP)
One reliable solution for domestic installations is the Tower Bronze Hot Water Recirculation Pump, product reference BRZPUMP.
It is designed specifically for hot water circulation in residential systems and features durable bronze construction suitable for potable water.
👉 View the product here:
https://householdheating.com/product/tower-bronze-hot-water-recirculation-pump/
- DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL - Our secondary Bronze Pump is an ideal choice when installing a secondary hot water circulator in both residential and commercial buildings. It has a Glandless Circulation Pump, which eliminates the worry of water spilling from any place.
- BRONZE BODY - The body of our pump is bronze, so it does not react with the constantly refilled water, keeping the water oxygenated; all other ordinary pumps would fail in this respect due to their material composition.
- NO WASTE - Our Secondary Hot Water Circuit with a circulating pump will solve your problems, guaranteeing that no water is wasted because hot water is always flowing, even from the farthest away tap.
- SPECIFICATIONS - Our Hot Water Circulating Pump has a max head of 6 meters, a Power Supply of 230V 50 Hz, and has the highest efficiency of Hot water at 50 Celsius.
- CONVENIENT - Simple installation requires only a wrench to connect the pump to the pipeline, saving you money on plumbers. In the past, it took a good few minutes to get hot water; with this, you'd only have to wait for just seconds.
Why Bronze Pumps Are Ideal for Hot Water Systems
Bronze pumps are commonly specified for domestic hot water because they:
- Resist corrosion
- Are safe for potable water
- Offer long service life
- Perform reliably at elevated temperatures
This makes them particularly well suited to secondary return applications where longevity and hygiene matter.
Installation Considerations (UK Homes)
A hot water secondary return pump is typically installed:
- Near the hot water cylinder or boiler
- On the return leg of the hot water circuit
Many systems can be retrofitted without major disruption, especially in homes with accessible pipework.
⚠️ Installation should always be carried out by a qualified heating engineer or plumber, particularly when modifying hot water systems.
Who Benefits Most from a Recirculation Pump?
Hot water secondary return pumps are especially beneficial in:
- Larger homes
- Properties with long pipe runs
- Multi-bathroom houses
- Homes with hot water cylinders
- Properties aiming to reduce water waste
They are also popular in renovations where improving efficiency and comfort is a priority.
Environmental Benefits: Saving Water the Smart Way
With increasing pressure on UK water infrastructure, reducing household water waste is more important than ever.
Saving 15,000–25,000 litres per year:
- Reduces demand on water treatment plants
- Lowers energy used for pumping and heating water
- Supports more sustainable household living
A hot water recirculation pump is a rare example of a home upgrade that improves comfort and sustainability at the same time.
Recommended Product: Tower Bronze Hot Water Recirculation Pump (BRZPUMP)
If you’re considering adding a hot water secondary return system, the Tower BRZPUMP is a proven option designed specifically for domestic hot water circulation.
👉 Product page:
https://householdheating.com/product/tower-bronze-hot-water-recirculation-pump/
- DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL - Our secondary Bronze Pump is an ideal choice when installing a secondary hot water circulator in both residential and commercial buildings. It has a Glandless Circulation Pump, which eliminates the worry of water spilling from any place.
- BRONZE BODY - The body of our pump is bronze, so it does not react with the constantly refilled water, keeping the water oxygenated; all other ordinary pumps would fail in this respect due to their material composition.
- NO WASTE - Our Secondary Hot Water Circuit with a circulating pump will solve your problems, guaranteeing that no water is wasted because hot water is always flowing, even from the farthest away tap.
- SPECIFICATIONS - Our Hot Water Circulating Pump has a max head of 6 meters, a Power Supply of 230V 50 Hz, and has the highest efficiency of Hot water at 50 Celsius.
- CONVENIENT - Simple installation requires only a wrench to connect the pump to the pipeline, saving you money on plumbers. In the past, it took a good few minutes to get hot water; with this, you'd only have to wait for just seconds.
Final Thoughts: Is a Hot Water Secondary Return Pump Worth It?
For many UK households, the answer is yes.
A hot water secondary return pump:
- Delivers instant hot water
- Saves thousands of litres of water per year
- Reduces running costs
- Improves daily comfort
- Supports environmental sustainability
When paired with a quality pump such as the Tower Bronze BRZPUMP, it becomes a practical, long-term upgrade that pays for itself in comfort, efficiency, and water savings.
