Hot water lobster-recirculating hot water

16 years ago

Beware: The Hot Water Lobster may or may not work with your house water system and it certainly does not provide "instant hot water" the way a recirculating pump will -- despite their advertising claims. Be sure you determine whether or not the Lobster works to your satisfaction within 30 days of purchase ($179) or you own it forever. They do not disclose that many house water systems have idiosyncrasies which will interfere with the ideal functioning of the Hot Water Lobster. They will always blame the non-functioning Lobster on your house water system and its problems. If it sounds too good to be true...etc.

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Comments (5)

fixizin
16 years ago
I agree. Someone was shilling for it in Yet Another TANKLESS post, so I went to the lobster website to investigate...

... well, even in the best case scenario, you're going to be getting HOT water out of the COLD faucets on that loop... oh happy day... NOT. (You'd think the lawyers would've nixed that one in the concept phase.)
deluk
15 years ago
Danny,

If you read the Hot Water Lobster website, it is not intended to be used with a tankless water heating system. Without a tank, there is no thermal convection created (which circulates the water). Like all recirculating systems (pump or pumpless) that use the cold water pipes as a return line you will get some warm water mixed in your cold water during a return cycle.

I have installed many Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot water Valves for customers with conventional hot water tanks with great success. So don't downgrade a good product just because you failed to follow the recommended installation.

Luke

Here is a link that might be useful: Hot Water Lobster Website
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JUNK! I bought this with the hopes of getting hot water at my master bath instead of waiting for a long time. Not the case. I installed it per the directions, waited a few hours and anxiously tried the hot faucet. Same old thing cold water for a good minute. Re-read instructions, retried 'flushing air pocket' out the Lobster. No change, cold water. I emailed Hot Water Lobster and they sent me the instructions which were included with the unit. I reviewed the instructions again and looked for reversing valves and manifolds in the water lines (which is lots of fun going through the crawl space in December). Turns out I didn't have any of those obstacles. Lastly, instructions say 'heat traps' in my water heater could be the cause. I reviewed the service manual for my water heater and low and behold, I have them! So that must be it, right? I emailed Hot Water Lobster, had them 'review my water heater specs' as they said they would do if you have this type of difficulty and they said they doubt the heat traps would cause it not to function, which I thought was strange since their instructions say it could, but to remove them anyway. I removed them, which took 1 trip to Lowes and about $10 for APEX connectors and water lines to replace what I had to cut apart to get them out. Turn the water back on, wait a few hours, same result, cold water out of the hot side. I emailed Hot Water Lobster again, no response. Now after reading other reviews I see this is their std procedure. I sent it back and did receive a refund less the $28 shipping (they charge $28 to ship via USPS priority mail that costs $11.35).
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deluke
15 years ago
I have had a Hot Water Lobster valve for over 2-years now...and love it. My hot water tank is higher than my bathroom faucet (which is where I installed it). I get instant hot water at the faucet and hot water in my shower in about 8 to 10-seconds.

With my family we are taking at least 4-showers daily, then laundry, dishes and etc. our energy cost seems to have gone down since we installed the Hot Water Lobster. I think its because we are circulating preheated water back to the hot water heater-rather than the cold ground-temperature water that would have otherwise replaced the water we were wasting (while we were waiting for hot water).

What I like best is the Hot Water Lobster valve is thermostatically controlled and only operates when the hot water temperature at the HWL drops below the adjustable temperature setting (not like the pump systems-which work on a timer or button you must press first).

Anyway I am not a skeptic anymore...no "snake oil" with the Hot water Lobster.

Luke
gvb1_sbcglobal_net
12 years ago
My Lobster didn't work at all even after numerous tries by two different plumbers.Hot Water Lobster was great at first about getting back to me. Of course, it was never the Lobster that would not work, it was always my plumbing according to them. Now I'm out of return warranty and guess what? Hot Water Lobster is no longer answering my emails.
This is a hype company.
deluke
12 years ago
Greg,

The Hot Water Lobster Instant Hot Water Valve is dedicated to Customer Satisfaction and always answers 100% of valid emails. In accordance with the Hot Water Lobster's Customer Satisfaction Policy they do not respond to Emails containing profanity! If you cleaned up your email, I'm sure you would receive an appropriate response.

Hot water lobster-recirculating hot water

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fixizin

deluk

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