Recirculation loop (definition)

Recirculation loop - is a part of a heating or hot water supply system designed for continuous circulation coolant (for example, hot water) in a closed loop. The main purpose of the recirculation loop is to maintain a constant temperature of the coolant in the system and provide quick access to hot water at the points of consumption.

Recirculation loop: main features

1. Maintaining temperature: The recirculation circuit prevents water from cooling down in the pipes, especially on long sections, which ensures instant hot water supply when opening a tap or uniform heat distribution in the heating system.
2. Saving energy and resources: In hot water systems, a recirculation loop helps reduce water consumption because users don't have to wait for it to warm up. In heating systems, it helps maintain a stable temperature, which reduces the load on the boiler.
3. Application in heating: In heating systems, recirculation circuits are often used to evenly distribute heat throughout the premises, especially in cases where there is a need to maintain a stable temperature in different sections of the network.
4. Application in hot water supply: In a hot water supply system, a recirculation loop is used to maintain a constant water temperature in the pipes, which is especially important for large buildings or multi-storey buildings.
5. Recirculation pumps: To ensure the movement of the coolant in the circuit, a special recirculation pump is used, which maintains a constant flow of water, even if there is no intake at a specific point of consumption.
6. Installation Features: Installation of a recirculation circuit requires additional pipelines and a pump, which increases the complexity and cost of installing the system, but this is offset by ease of use and reduced heat loss.

A recirculation loop is especially useful in large buildings or systems with long pipe runs where the delay in hot water supply can be significant. Thanks to such a loop, the comfort and efficiency of the heating or hot water system can be significantly increased.