For those who know more about this than I do. My 2008 Rinnai kicked the bucket back in the fall...pinholes in the copper. I had it replaced with an RXP160i condensing Rinnai (stainless guts). It is outside and recir capable. I don't know the fella who installed it all that well. I was working the hurricane, and trying to get something done quick for the family back home. He did tell me something about a recir option or a check valve. I don't recall which. The option he described would be installed at the fixture furthest downstream and provide quicker response of hot water throughout the system. He didn't have the parts but offered to come back to install.
Here's where I need advice. While quicker hot water to my kitchen sink (by far the furthest downstream) would be very nice, I'm more concerned about supply lines freezing. Ever since we built our house in 2008, the hot water had a tendency to freeze when temps dip to the low 20s or so. I usually leave a laundry sink near the unit dripping and that takes care of it. Last night, I was out of town and forgot to tell the ol lady to leave the sink dripping so the pipes were frozen this morning. The unit itself doesn't freeze, but the supply or return lines do. I'm not sure where, but they are likely in a wall somewhere.
Would a recir pump and/or a check valve help this issue? If so which one? What are the drawbacks? I assume it'll use more propane.
Here's where I need advice. While quicker hot water to my kitchen sink (by far the furthest downstream) would be very nice, I'm more concerned about supply lines freezing. Ever since we built our house in 2008, the hot water had a tendency to freeze when temps dip to the low 20s or so. I usually leave a laundry sink near the unit dripping and that takes care of it. Last night, I was out of town and forgot to tell the ol lady to leave the sink dripping so the pipes were frozen this morning. The unit itself doesn't freeze, but the supply or return lines do. I'm not sure where, but they are likely in a wall somewhere.
Would a recir pump and/or a check valve help this issue? If so which one? What are the drawbacks? I assume it'll use more propane.
