Is the EXR Recirculation Compatible?

Go for it!  Recirc to your heart's content, but keep in mind a couple of things before embarking on your recirculation voyage...

1. We do have integrated leak detection.  What that means for you is that if you're not adding time- and/or temperature-control to the pump, you may trigger one of the leak detection algorithms.  If this is the case, you may see "231" flash on the heater's touchscreen and/or a paired smart device. 

The 231 means the water heater sees continuous flow for 2 hours. The heater keeps operating normally, but it's telling you there may be a leak. When you have a recirc pump, this can be interpreted as a leak even though we know there isn't one. The way to manage this is to add controls to the pump so it doesn't run for 2 hours. It will prevent the alarm as well as be beneficial to the entire plumbing system so that the pump isn't running 24 hours. Any standard pump control system will work - timer, aquastat, or both. If the pump has a built-in timer, you can position the pins so that the pump is only running during hours that hot water is needed, typically morning and night... 5 - 9 am and 6 - 10pm for example. In those windows, if you have a 1:45 min ON (represented by 7 pins on one of those built-in mechanical timers) cycle followed by a :15 min OFF cycle, you will avoid the 231.  This same scheme can be implemented by a digital or analog wall timer.

Flow rate through the heater should be between 0.6 and 1.0 gpm, ideal is 0.8.  Instantaneous flow rate can be confirmed at the water heater within the settings menu.  See the manual pg. 38, "Confirming Recirculation Flow Rate" for additional details.

2. Also in the settings menu is "Recirc" Mode.  Turning Recirc Mode on will shut off the 231 alarm.  By default, Recirc Mode is OFF.  Turn in ON in the Options Menu:  Using the Multi-function button: ("OPt" --> "rEcirc").

• Recirc Mode is available in the latest software version.  If the end-user isn't already using the app & getting automated software updates, this is how you will update the software from the heater's touchscreen: Long press "Multi-function" button (the one that looks like a gear & back button), located in the bottom right-hand corner.  ("SEt" --> "UPd")

3. You may notice some molded labels on top of the water heater's outer shell, such as Solar In, Solar Out, etc..., as well as "Recirc In".  Although they are not currently available, they are being developed.  For efficiency's sake, we are using the same mold for multiple products, which is why those labels are there on the EXR.  In the case of "Recirc In", do not use that connector.  It is behind a knockout, under an access panel.  There will be software and an accessory kit available in the future, but for this generation's product, you will need to use: a) the cold water inlet for dedicated return lines, or b) the hot side for recirc systems not needing a return line.

See the manual or call us with any questions...