Hot water takes ages to reach the tap? Flow and return explained
If you run the tap in the ensuite and wait, and wait, for the water to warm up, you're not imagining it. The further a tap is from the hot water system, the more cold water sitting in the pipe has to run out first. A flow and return system is one way to fix that: it keeps hot water moving around a loop so it's always close to the tap. Here's why hot water is slow to arrive, how flow and return works, and the other options.
Why hot water takes so long
Distance
Hot water cools in the pipe between uses. The longer the run from the heater to the tap, the more cold water comes out first.
Pipe size
A larger pipe holds more water, so there's more to run off before the hot arrives.
Low-flow fittings
Water-saving taps and shower heads push less water per minute, so it takes longer to clear the cold water out of the pipe.
Continuous flow systems
Continuous flow heaters need a moment to fire up and reach temperature, adding a few seconds.
Uninsulated pipes
Bare pipes lose heat faster, especially under timber floors or in the roof. See insulating hot water pipes.
How a flow and return system works
Instead of a single hot pipe running out to the taps, a flow and return system runs hot water out along a loop and back to the heater. A small pump keeps the water circulating, usually on a timer so it only runs at the times you use hot water. Because hot water is always moving past each tap, it arrives within seconds. The loop needs to be well insulated so it doesn't waste heat, and the pump and timer need setting up properly so running costs stay reasonable.
Other ways to get hot water faster
- Insulate the hot water pipes so water stays warmer between uses.
- Move or add a hot water unit closer to the bathroom that's far away. A small unit for a distant ensuite can be simpler than a long loop.
- Shorter, smaller pipe runs when pipework is being replaced anyway.
We'll look at the layout of your home and recommend the option that suits it best, with a fixed price before any work starts.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Long, narrow homes in Maroubra and Coogee, and houses in Pagewood and Matraville where an ensuite was added at the far end, often have long hot water runs. The hot water unit is usually down the side or at the back, a long way from the main bathroom. Those are the homes where a flow and return loop, or a second unit, makes the biggest difference.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
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- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Why does my hot water take so long to get to the tap?
Cold water sitting in the pipe has to run out first. The further the tap is from the heater, the longer it takes.
What is a flow and return hot water system?
A loop that keeps hot water circulating from the heater past the taps and back, using a small pump, so hot water arrives quickly.
Does a flow and return system use more energy?
It can, because the loop loses some heat. Good insulation and a timer on the pump keep the extra cost down.
Can I get hot water faster without a flow and return system?
Sometimes. Insulating pipes or adding a small hot water unit closer to the far bathroom can also work well.
Related help: hot water, insulating hot water pipes, what size hot water system, continuous flow hot water and our hot water guide. Local pages: hot water Maroubra, hot water Coogee, hot water Pagewood and hot water Matraville.