I pretty much thought so, but no empirical evidence to prove it.
When I was under contract to have a home built here, the plumbers had a hard time understanding what I wanted to do; I simply asked for a ½" return line from the furthest point on the second floor, However they gave me some absurd price (considering the cost of PEX) and said it's because the NC code required the entire return line to be insulated. I told them I didn't think it would work then. I ended up not building the home. We wait forever for hot water in the kitchen and upstairs; primary bath is behind the water heater in the garage and is quick. Just have to live with it.
The somewhat clueless builders here say it's about energy efficiency, but one of the "energy efficiency" items they are required to install is a fresh air vent system (WITHOUT an HRV). I had that without knowing about it, then one day, I noticed that warm moist air is being sent into my office registers, and I said WTF? So they think it's a smart idea to bring in unconditioned air (hot and humid in summer, cold and damp in winter) into my conditioned living space? They think that's somehow efficient? It's ungodly stupid if you don't use an ERV or HRV, certainly in this climate. I immediately disconnected and shut down that system. My house may be built tight but the doors open all the time so I don't have to worry about any fresh air. I just don't want unconditioned air coming in my space!
I had an HVAC contractor sales walk in salesman argue with me about me not installing that fresh air intake bullshite on my system.
He got an attitude and said it’s required by the inspector and my job will fail ( my own house) and he seemed to get mad about it.
He got crazier looking when I told him I’d just tell the inspector to screw himself. I’m a grown man and if I don’t want a fresh air intake then there won’t be one.
I also live in a hot humid climate and there’s no damn way I’m going to randomly have a damper that allows air to be pulled on from outside.
A pump that’s on a timer for a few hours a day is the only way I recommend circulating water in my climate.
It’s too hot here already. Ac running 9-10 months out of the year. The last thing you want to do is introduce more heat into the building.
Rather than circulating I like to install 2-3 tankless so the pipe runs are short. No standby loss, no heat gain of the building from water being circulated.
Last edited: