Instant Hot Water Delivery System

Abstract

An instant hot water delivery system for efficiently heating water when necessary to provide instant hot water to a faucet. The instant hot water delivery system generally includes a water heater including an inlet and an outlet, a cold water supply line introducing cold water into the inlet, a hot water supply line connecting the outlet to a faucet and a recirculation line connected to the hot water supply downstream of the outlet and the cold water supply line upstream of the inlet. The recirculation line forms a first recirculation loop for water within the water heater to flow during a first water heating process. A recirculation pump is connected to the cold water supply line between the local recirculation line and the inlet for circulating the water during the water heating process.

1 . An instant hot water delivery system, comprising:
 a water heater including an inlet and an outlet;   a cold water supply line introducing cold water into said inlet;   a hot water supply line connecting said outlet to a faucet;   a recirculation line connected to said hot water supply downstream of said outlet and said cold water supply line upstream of said inlet;   wherein said recirculation line forms a first recirculation loop for water within said water heater to flow during a first water heating process; and   a recirculation pump connected to said cold water supply line between said local recirculation line and said inlet for circulating said water during said first water heating process.   
   
   
       2 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , including a three-way valve interconnecting said recirculation line to said hot water supply line. 
   
   
       3 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 2 , wherein said three-way valve toggles between a fluid connection of said outlet to said faucet via said hot water supply line or said outlet to said recirculation pump via said recirculation line, 
   
   
       4 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , a check valve interconnected along said cold water supply line upstream of said recirculation line. 
   
   
       5 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 4 , wherein said check valve prevents water from said recirculation line from flowing upstream said cold water supply line. 
   
   
       6 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 5 , wherein said check valve is comprised of a three-way valve. 
   
   
       7 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , including a control unit to set to control said water heater. 
   
   
       8 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein said control unit includes a setting for a water heating schedule. 
   
   
       9 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein said control unit turns on/off said recirculation pump. 
   
   
       10 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 7 , wherein said control unit is connected to at least one temperature sensor for turning on/off said recirculation pump according to a water temperature. 
   
   
       11 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , including a bypass valve interconnecting said cold water supply line and said hot water supply line. 
   
   
       12 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 11 , wherein said bypass valve forms a second recirculation loop for water within said water heater to flow during a second water heating process. 
   
   
       13 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 12 , wherein said second recirculation loop covers a larger fluid area than said first recirculation loop. 
   
   
       14 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 13 , wherein said second recirculation loop is separate than said recirculation line of said first recirculation loop. 
   
   
       15 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 14 , wherein said bypass valve is located near said faucet. 
   
   
       16 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said recirculation pump includes a temperature sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , wherein said recirculation pump includes a flow sensor. 
   
   
       18 . The instant hot water delivery system of  claim 1 , including at least one pump enabling unit to activate said recirculation pump according to a water temperature. 
   
   
       19 . An instant hot water delivery system, comprising:
 a water heater including an inlet and an outlet;   a cold water supply line introducing cold water into said inlet,   a hot water supply line connecting said outlet to a faucet;   a recirculation line connected to said hot water supply downstream of said outlet and said cold water supply line upstream of said inlet;   wherein said recirculation line forms a recirculation loop for water within said water heater to flow during a water heating process;   a check valve interconnected along said cold water supply line upstream of said recirculation line;   wherein said check valve prevents water from said recirculation line from flowing upstream said cold water supply line;   a recirculation pump connected to said cold water supply line between said local recirculation line and said inlet for circulating said water during said water heating process; and   a control unit for setting and controlling a water heating schedule, wherein said control unit turns said water heater and said recirculation pump on/off according to said water heating schedule;   wherein said control unit is connected to at least one temperature sensor for turning on/off said recirculation pump according to a water temperature.   
   
   
       20 . A method of providing nearly instant hot water to a faucet, comprising:
 providing a water heater including an inputted cold water supply line and an outputted hot water supply line;   forming at least one recirculation loop between said hot water supply line and said cold water supply line;   setting a heating schedule upon a control unit connected to said water heater;   directing a flow of water through said at least on recirculation loop during said heating schedule;   heating said flow of water with said water heater;   closing said at least one recirculation loop when said flow of water reaches a predetermined temperature;   directing said flow of water through said hot water supply line to a faucet;   activating said faucet; and   nearly instantly receiving hot water through said faucet.