SmartPlus 1/25 HP Non-Submersible Hot Water Recirculation Pump in Stainless Steel

A:  A water softener would typically be installed on the water main coming into the house. So way before the system separates into hot, cold and for the purpose of this discussion the recirculation line. By removing the ironized hardness from the water, there should be less of a chance of galvanic reaction between the water and the stainless steel volute used in this pump. That's a good thing. But other than that I see no relationship between this product and the water softener. If you feel I am missing something you are welcome to give me a call. Chris 978 651 3301

A:  The question is misplaced. The question is not can this pump or any other pump be used with a specific water heater. Instead the question is can re-circulation be used on your water heater. Some water heaters will be destroyed by the frequent on and off short cycling and others will not turn on with based on the very slow flow rates used in these pumps. Thus you need to direct your question to Rheem the manufacturer of the heater. However I can tell you that with tank heaters I have never had an issue. The problems have always been with instantaneous heaters. However I as i am unfamiliar with that particular heater I would suggest you reach out to Rheem

A:  I must say you have me stumped. I would welcome you to give me a call if you would like to talk about this some more but I am baffled based on the information you have given so fare. By way of background, I have worked for a Rheem/Ruud distributor for the last forty years, so I am familiar with them. But I have never heard the term heat lock used in reference to a tank type hot water heater. Heat pumps, yes, but not tank type heaters. Installing recirculation on an instantaneous heater can be problematic. Sometimes the constant start stop can destroy the heater, conversely sometimes the pump lacks the flow rate to cause the heater to turn on. However with tank type heaters you have stored hot water. This makes recirculation pretty straight forward. Thus I am having a hard time understanding what the heat lock issue is. I tried searching the topic on line but nothing relevant came up. Perhaps you could explain it to me and then I will be able to offer you some help. Chris 978 651 3301.

A:  To answer this question you really need to reverse it. The question is not can this or any other re-circulation pump be used with a tankless heater. The question is can your tankless heater and or the way it is piped be used with a re-circulation pump. Many tankless water heaters can not be used with re-circulation pumps because every time the re circulation pump creates flow it will cause the heater to come on. The resulting and repeated short cycling will destroy the heater. As a result some units are built with or installed with small amounts of buffer storage so that the hot water in the storage tank can be circulated without firing the appliance. I would check out the installation manual for your heater to see what it says about this before proceeding.