Top 4 Best Grundfos Recirculation Pumps (2024 Review)

Do you want to find the best Grundfos hot water recirculating pump?

Grundfos is one of the largest pump manufacturers in the world, and makes high quality water pumps for residential and commercial applications.

In this guide, I will go over...

  • My #1 top pick for the best Grundfos recirculators
  • The history of Grundfos
  • How hot water recirculating pumps work

Let's get started with this guide!

top best rated grundfos hot water recirculating pump

ImageProduct
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595916
  • Built-In Timer
  • 6-Ft Power Cord
  • Quiet
  • Built-In Timer
  • 6-Ft Power Cord
  • Quiet
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Comfort System
  • Digital Timer
  • Battery Backup
  • Hoses Included
  • Digital Timer
  • Battery Backup
  • Hoses Included
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Comfort PM
  • Near Silent
  • AutoAdapt
  • remove
  • Near Silent
  • AutoAdapt
  • remove
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SuperBrute
  • Steel Rotor
  • Low Price
  • remove
  • Steel Rotor
  • Low Price
  • remove
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My Overall #1 Rated Pick

Grundfos GRU-595916
  • Built-in timer to save energy
  • Quiet pump operation
  • 6-ft power cord for easy install
  • 9 gallons per minute max

My overall top pick for the best Grundfos hot water recirculating pumps goes to the 595916 model. This retrofit water pump uses the cold water supply line as a temporary return back to the water heater. It is energy efficient and quiet --- a maximum 9 gallons per minute. The Grundfos pump comes with a 6-ft power cord for an easy install to a standard outlet.

Top 4 Grundfos Hot Water Recirculating Pumps

Are you short on time?  Check out our top 4 Grundfos hot water recirculating pumps! Keep reading for the details of each top pick and for our buyer's guide.

  1. Grundfos 595916 Hot Water Recirculating Pump
  2. Grundfos Comfort System Hot Water Recirculation System
  3. Grundfos Comfort PM Hot Water Recirculation Pump  
  4. Grundfos SuperBrute Hot Water Recirculating Pump

What Is A Grundfos Hot Water Recirculating Pump?

A Grundfos hot water recirculating system is designed for homes without dedicated return lines (except the Comfort PM model), and it temporarily uses the cold water supply as a return line back to the water heater.

These recirculation pumps are installed above the water heater, and most are not meant to be used for tankless heaters.

If you already have flexible water piping to your water heater, installation can be done very quickly. If you have copper or CPVC to the hot water outlet on top of water heater, the installation may require a licensed plumber.

Most of them have sensor valves (except the Comfort PM), which is installed under the sink farthest away from the water heater.

Setting a timer for these water pumps is highly recommended so it doesn't turn on when you are away from home or on vacation. You can set the pump to turn on for peak morning use and peak evening.

If you want even more energy savings, insulating the water lines is recommended after the pump installation.

Read Also: What Are The Best Hot Water Recirculating Pumps?

Who Is Grundfos?

Grundfos is world renowned for a variety of different water pumps that are used in residential and commercial applications.

This multi billion dollar company is based in Denmark and was founded in 1945. Grundfos employs over 19,000 employees world wide.

Read Also: What Are The Best Under Sink Hot Water Recirculating Pumps?

grundfos hot water recirculating pump

What Is The Sensor Valve?

The sensor valve is a one-way water valve that is installed under the farthest sink from the recirculation pump.

The sensor valve will usually open with the hot water temperature drops to 95 degrees. This is when the recirculation pump sends the lukewarm water back to the water by way of the cold water supply line (acting as a temporary return). Then, once the temperature is higher, the sensor valve closes, and directs the hot water back to the hot water line branches.

Read Also: What Are The Seven Pros & Cons of Hot Water Recirculating Pumps?

What Are The Best Grundfos Hot Water Recirculating Pumps?

Here are my top picks with all of their pros and cons...

The Grundfos 595916 hot water recirculator is a great pump for retrofit installations without a dedicated return line.

This pump uses the cold water line as a temporary return back to the water heater. It has a 6-ft power cord and comes with a built-in timer.

This low energy consuming pump is quiet and maintenance free. It will pump up to 9 gallons per minute of water.

  • Built-in timer
  • 6-ft power cord
  • Quiet operation
  • Complaints of premature pump failure

The Comfort System by Grundfos is the latest pump in the Comfort Series.

This effective recirculator comes with a new digital timer and a battery backup. The battery will hold your settings in case there is a power outage --- so you don't have to reprogram it.

It also comes with a 10-ft power cord, the sensor valve, and two flex hoses.

  • Digital timer
  • Battery backup
  • Sensor valve & hoses included
  • Expensive
  • Sensor valve install required (rather than the easier sensor cable)

The Grundfos Comfort PM is one of the smartest recirculators on the market. However, this recirculator requires a dedicated return line.

This recirculator doesn't even require an under sink sensor valve --- just mount the sensor cable to the dedicated hot water return line.

The unique Autoadapt feature will turn on the pump only when required, and even has automatic weekend detection.

  • Near silent operation
  • Autoadapt features learns, stores, and adapts pump timing
  • Only install sensor cable (not a valve)
  • Poor quality instruction manual
  • Expensive
  • Minimal Amazon reviews

The Grundfos SuperBrute is a tough cast iron recirculating system. This pump was originally designed for heating and cooling systems. However, it can still be used for domestic hot water recirculation.

The rotor is made out of stainless steel with a corrosion-resistant impeller.

The motor is 1/25 HP. It does not come with a sensor valve which will need to be purchased separately. 

  • Budget friendly price
  • Tough and corrosion resistant
  • Uses only two gaskets for sealing
  • Originally designed for HVAC systems (may cause rust issues)

My #1 Top Pick: Grundfos 595916 Hot Water Recirculating Pump 

My top pick for the best Grundfos hot water recirculating systems goes to the 595916. Here's why...

#1. Built-In Timer

This pump comes with a timer so you can set the pump to turn on only when people are actually home. The timer will save water and electricity.

#2. Quiet Operation

No recirculator is absolutely silent, but this pump is pretty quiet.

#3. Six Foot Power Cord

It also comes with a 6-ft power cord to plug into any standard outlet for an easy install.

Read Also: How Does A Hot Water Recirculating Pump Work? 

Meet Your Home Inspector Secrets Author

2 thoughts on “Top 4 Best Grundfos Recirculation Pumps (2024 Review)”

  1. Super informative website! Thanks for putting it together.
    Looks like my 18 yro grundfos pump has had it. It is installed on a dedicated return line right next to the how water heater. It has been sweated in. What’s your suggestion on pump and type of installation?
    Again great site written so I can understand. Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Jeff,

      I recommend the Grundfos 595916 or something similar like the Watts Premier. Since you have a dedicated return line, it can be installed on the return line (prior to check valve), the hot water line (above water heater), or even on the cold water line (above water heater & after return line T).

      Cheers,
      Arie

      Reply

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