I’m new to the forum, and automation. I have a simple idea that I think would work, and I’d like some advice on how to implement. I’d like to replace my light switches in my bathrooms with switches that will send out a signal when they are manually turned on. This signal would cause my hot water circulation pump to go on for a set amount of time so that when someone washes their hands or takes a shower, they have instant hot water. Today, I have a manual timer on the pump that can run the pump during pre-determined times. I’d like it to be ‘on demand.’
Any help / advice, especially with specific models of necessary equipment, would be greatly appreciated.
Picking the right equipment and models depends on a couple of factors.
Are you planning to add more Home Automation stuff over time, or do you already have a setup? If you are, then Vera is a good choice to get started with HA and implement your idea. If not, then you could ask for stand-alone timers in a DIY store; they are often used for bathroom fans (light on = fan on for a preset amount of time).
Your location (the range of available stuff varies greatly per region, and each region operates on its own radio frequency so make sure you buy equipment that is licensed to operate in your locale)
When buying a light switch, make sure it supports “instant status” or “status push” (the terminology varies). This means that when you operate the light switch, Vera is notified instantly. Some lowlife managed to patent the notion of instant status updates and levies a tax on everyone using it, so not all Z-wave equipment offers that feature.
Choosing a switch for the pump depends on operating voltage and amperage, and whether you want to keep the current manual timer in parallel.
Once installed, creating a “scene” that will turn on the pump when the light is switched on and turns it off after some time can be done in a matter of minutes.
My Hot Water circulation starts when ever lights are turned on in a wet area (Bathrooms, Kitchen, Utility Room).
My Lights turn on because of motion is detected in those areas.
My Hot Water and the return lines are insulated. The time time to get the entire HW line hot is dependent on the time of year (Winter/Summer).
Currently I run the pump for a set amount of time … I plan to change to shut the pump off when the Hot Water return lines reaches a certain temperature.
I have a hot water circulation system in my house that runs continuously, which is very convenient. However this proposed idea significantly detracts from the convenience of having such a system. Just a few of the complaints one could expect from family members:
To turn on the circulation pump the lights in the bathroom have to be turned on - so that means you have to remember to turn the lights on even in the daytime. Using motion detection to turn the pump on (rather than a light switch) might help reduce the nuisance factor.
Often people walk into the bathroom and want to wash their hands or face right away. Since the pump hasn’t been running, there will be no instant hot water. You’d just open the hot water tap and let the water run until it reaches a comfortable temperature - which defeats the need for having a recirculation pump.
Thanks, intveltr, for your advice. I am planning on adding circulation pumps under two remote bathrooms that currently do not have them, and using the same scheme to control them: when someone enters the bathroom and turns on the light, the zwave controller also turns on the circulation pump. For my existing set-up it (the longest run in the house, to the master bathroom) it would be for a set time. The new pumps will turn themselves off when the temperature reaches a setpoint. I’m in Illinois, so any concern about using standard parts from Amazon? I plan on buying the Mi Casa Verde VeraLite Home Controller, with GE 12721 outlet and GE 12727 switch. Also, does this switch pay the patent fee for instant update? The pump is low wattage, less than 100W, so I think this equipment will work.
Thanks, RichardTSchaefer, for your reply. It sounds like you have already done what I am planning to do, except I wasn’t planning on motion detection switches.
Thanks, hmb, for your comments. There is definitely a trade-off between convenience and energy usage. Currently the pump is on a timer, and I have to decide which times of the day it runs. If I decide to take a shower after mowing the lawn, and it is outside the ‘window’ of the timer, then I waste a lot of water. Our bathrooms need the lights on even on a sunny day. Hopefully by the time anyone is finished doing their business, the water will be hot. In those cases where all they want is to wash hands, they will learn that they have to wait, or just wash with cold water.
Convenient, but not very cost-conscious/green. Like Richard, I have motion and door sensors in each bathroom and in my kitchen that trigger multiple PLEGs to run lights, climate, and the hot water re-circulation pump. So while occasionally the humans might not get instant hot water, the majority of the time they do - the pump kicks on instantly as they walk into the bathroom. Much of the time they are going to use the toilet or brush their teeth (cold water) first, and hence by the time they want hot water, it is ready. This way I am not running the pump when no one is home or in the middle of the night - wasting both electricity to run the pump and natural gas to heat the water…
GE z-wave switches do not have instant status. And while I use GE switches, I trigger them via motion detectors. So if you really want to trigger off the lights being manually turned on, get a different brand of z-wave switch…