Hot water recirculation valve

A recirculation valve for use with a tankless water heater in system that includes hot and cold water fixtures and a cold water supply, said recirculation valve comprising:

• a valve body having an inlet connection, a pair of outlet connections and an internal chamber;
• a thermostatic element that is disposed in a first portion of the internal chamber of the valve body and includes an actuation body that is responsive to water temperature;
• said valve body further having a port opening that is disposed between the thermostatic element and a second portion of the internal chamber;
• said thermostatic element further including a piston constructed and arranged to operatively extend from said actuation body when the actuation body is heated, and a plunger that is carried by and is moveably responsive for the actuation body;
• whereby, when the actuation body is heated, the valve transitions from an open position to a closed position by the piston moving the actuation body and plunger so that the plunger moves to seal against the port opening of the valve body;
• a tee having an inlet and first and second discharge ports with the tee inlet coupled to the tankless water heater, the first discharge port coupled to the hot water fixture, and a hose that connects the second discharge port to the valve body.

A recirculation valve for use with a tankless water heater in a system that includes hot and cold water fixtures and a cold water supply, said recirculation valve comprising:

• a valve body having an inlet connection, a pair of outlet connections and an internal chamber;
• a thermostatic element that is disposed in a first portion of the internal chamber of the valve body and includes an actuation body that is responsive to water temperature;
• said valve body further having a port opening that is disposed between the thermostatic element and a second portion of the internal chamber;
• said thermostatic element further including a piston constructed and arranged to operatively extend from said actuation body when the actuation body is heated, and a plunger that is carried by and is moveably responsive to the actuation body;
• whereby, when the actuation body is heated, the valve transitions from an open position to a closed position by the piston moving the actuation body and plunger so that the plunger moves to seal against the port opening of the valve body;
• wherein the first portion of the internal chamber is elongated supporting the valve body, plunger and piston, wherein the pair of outlet connections are disposed orthogonal to the elongated chamber, wherein the port opening of the valve body is annular and is disposed between the first and second chamber portions;
• and
• wherein the plunger is disposed at one end of the actuation body and the piston is disposed at an opposite end of the actuation body.