Lämminvesikierto

Lämminvesikierto, often translated as hot water circulation or domestic hot water recirculation, is a plumbing system designed to ensure that hot water is readily available at taps and fixtures throughout a building. Instead of waiting for cold water to be flushed out of the pipes to reach the desired temperature, a lämminvesikierto system continuously circulates hot water. This is typically achieved by connecting the hot water outlet of a water heater back to its inlet via a return line. A pump, often controlled by a timer or a temperature sensor, drives the circulation.

The primary benefit of lämminvesikierto is convenience, as it significantly reduces the time and water wasted waiting for hot water. This can lead to water savings, especially in larger buildings or those with long pipe runs. It also contributes to energy efficiency by minimizing the amount of hot water that needs to be reheated due to standing cold water in the pipes. However, installing and operating a lämminvesikierto system requires energy for the pump and can lead to some heat loss from the circulating hot water if the pipes are not well insulated. Systems can be designed with various control strategies to optimize performance and minimize energy consumption.