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CSST is usually larger (¾” and 1″ +) than FAC (⅜” and ½”). FACs are between 1 and 6 feet long, while CSST comes in rolls as long as a few hundred feet. You can easily cut them to the required length.

If it has been hours since the faucet was last used, it could take 3 – 5 minutes before you feel hot water. That wastes a lot of water and can be quite annoying sometimes. Gallons of water can easily be wasted every time this happens.

CSST and a gas appliance connector can look very similar. However, one feature sets them apart. CSST has a flexible outer yellow polyethylene sheath (although some brands use black). On the other hand, gas connectors are also yellow, but this color serves as a coating on the tubing itself.

Both CSST and FAC are corrugated pipes. However, CSST has a yellow or black sheathing over the corrugation. FAC does not have sheathing, is painted yellow, and the corrugation is visible.

Every hot water faucet has a hot water pipe that travels from that faucet back to wherever your water heater is located in your home. In the North Dallas area where we work, the water heaters are mostly located in the garages and attics. (In older homes like those in parts of Carrollton, Richardson, southeast Plano, etc… water heaters can also frequently be found inside closets off of the main hallway in the house.)

This is the essential concept of the hot water recirculation pump. It keeps the water moving through the hot water system like an invisible circular bucket brigade so there will be no more water wasted down the drain and instant hot water at your faucets!

There are two main categories of hot water recirculation pumps – dedicated return line pumps and retrofit crossover-style pumps.

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Few things are as essential as plumbing fixtures when maintaining and enhancing your home’s comfort. These fixtures help keep the water flowing where it’s needed

The dedicated return line pumps are installed on a special hot water return line that is plumbed to the farthest fixture. These are usually installed when the house is built. They are often required for larger square footage homes. Otherwise, the wait time would be ludicrous.

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These pumps are typically installed right next to the water heaters on the return line so they are pushing water toward the water heater. Sometimes they are set to run all the time. Other times, they are set to run on a timer so that the homeowner can save a little electricity when quick hot water isn’t necessary.

The pump itself is very similar. Instead of being mounted on a hot water return line, though, it is usually mounted on the hot water outlet of the water heater. That way, it’s pushing water out of the tank and down the normal hot water pipes to the fixtures.

We covered the basics in this article, but if you are dealing with other types of systems (like with tankless water heaters) or more complicated setups (multiple hot water zones/loops) it can get more complicated. Designing and troubleshooting these setups can start to resemble designing a hydronic heating system – which is a science in and of itself. Fortunately, though, this isn’t common in your typical North Dallas residential application.

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A tankless water heater is no different, either. Tankless water heaters do not provide instant hot water to the faucets – this is a common misconception. A tankless water heater heats water instantaneously as it passes through the heater, but it can’t magically get that hot water instantly to the faucets on the other side of the house.

For these purposes, these pumps are highly recommended. They also tend to be very reliable as well – as long as they are manufactured by one of the larger, reputable companies like Grundfos, Taco, Etc…

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Basically, this type of system creates a pure, simple loop in the hot water system. Hot water flows circuitously through this loop alone. The loop is designed in such a way that all of the hot water fixtures are very close to the path that it takes so there is never any substantial wait time across the whole system.

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This is the problem in a nutshell. Unless you have a mini water heater under every faucet, you can’t have instant hot water.

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What if your house wasn’t installed with a dedicated recirculation return line? It would be a big project to go back and install a new hot water plumbing line in a house after everything has been covered up in sheetrock and trim.

Now, let’s talk about Flexible Appliance Connectors or FACs. These flexible hoses or tubings link gas appliances to the gas supply line. In simpler terms, FAC connects your building’s gas distribution system to your appliances.

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Congratulations! You have reached the finish line and can now distinguish CSST from FAC pipes. Just remember, as CSST grows in popularity, replacing old iron pipes might be tempting. But when it comes to gas, safety comes first. Gas piping is no DIY adventure; leave that to the pros. Call a qualified gas fitter if anything about your gas pipes seems unclear. With their expertise, you can rest assured your home’s gas system runs smoothly and safely. So, stay informed, stay safe, and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your gas is in good hands!

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Understanding the specifics of these materials and their differences is the key to this problem. Many people lack the information in this article, making it easy to confuse CSST and FAC. Read on to learn the differences and never mix them up again!

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The most significant difference between these two is the purpose of using them. CSST transfers gas from the meter to the building, but we use gas connectors to connect appliances to the piping system. While you can directly connect CSST to fixed appliances, it should not substitute for a gas connector. You can connect CSST directly to fixed appliances but not movable appliances, while gas connectors can connect to both.

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There is a less-common variation of the retrofit style pump called an “on-demand” recirculation pump. This pump is mounted at the faucet instead of at the water heater. It has either a button or a sensor that turns it on so that it runs only when someone enters the room.

Conversely, FAC has fittings at both ends, making the installation easier. You can effortlessly connect the flexible connector to the gas supply line and the appliance (see Figure 3).

It’s easy to understand the confusion! CSST and FAC serve a similar purpose; they transport gas from one point to another. Both are flexible and made from stainless steel. They even have similar names. In the industry, Flexible Appliance Connectors are called Corrugated Stainless Steel connectors (CSSC). Plus, typically, they both come in the same color – yellow! Despite having distinctive features, a quick look might make them seem alike, causing confusion.

If the shut-off valves/supply lines/etc… are old and deteriorated, they may need to be addressed during the installation (new fixture shut-off valves, new water heater valve and supply lines, etc…).

CSST provides long-term value with durability and flexibility for future appliance changes (up to 30 years). FAC may require more frequent replacements due to a shorter lifespan (approximately 10 years) and wear.

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CSST has a higher initial cost due to material expenses and professional installation, but Flexible Appliance Connectors have a lower initial cost, especially for DIY installation.

Ali has a Ph.D and is an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer who has worked in the Energy Industry. He is skilled in: Finite, Element Simulation, Solidworks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, PVelite, Caesar II, PDMS, Microsoft Word, Power Plants, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and Feasibility Studies. He has an outstanding research background in Laser Material Processing, Fuel Cells, Renewable Energy, and Heat Sinks.

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Now, when hot water is being pushed down the pipes by the pump, this valve allows the cooled-off water to cross over into the cold water system where it loops back to the water heater. Very ingenious! Furthermore, these valves have a mechanical wax thermostat inside them that closes when hot water reaches the fixture. That way it doesn’t put too much hot water into the cold water system.

Let’s begin by explaining what CSST and FAC do. “CSST” stands for Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing, a common material in gas piping systems since 1990. Instead of traditional iron pipes, CSST is used to carry gas from the meter throughout a building. Its main job is gas distribution.

If you want to get ‘instant’ hot water or want to save water usage in your home, a recirculation pump is a great way to do that!

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They can save money spent on water, but they do make the water heater work more. This is because the water heater is now keeping the entire hot system warm instead of just the water inside the tank. The larger the system is, the more heat loss occurs (which makes the water heater turn on more frequently to compensate). This decrease in efficiency and the small amount of electricity they use will offset some of the savings.

Because of these factors, the initial investment of the pump/installation, and the added cost of maintenance, a recirculation pump isn’t high on the list as a way to save money. Convenience and comfort are the main motivations when choosing to add one of these pumps to your system.

In Figure 5,  you can see an example of gas connectors and CSST. Although they are made of the same stainless steel material, you can distinguish them by their outside coatings. The CSST has a thin jacket, which allows you to see the ridges of the stainless steel. The gas connector has a much thicker coating with an accordion rubber-like look.

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The first time people see CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing), they might think it is just tubing connecting their stove to the gas line. But that’s not the case! Many people confuse CSST with FAC. While both are yellow gas piping, they function differently; confusing them can be dangerous!

Installing a retrofit pump or replacing a dedicated return line pump are usually pretty straightforward jobs for a plumber. The biggest variable is the soundness of the pipes that the new parts will attach to.

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We wrote different articles about CSST and decided it was a good idea to write about the differences between CSST and FAC to ensure nobody confuses them. This article will provide valuable insights if you are curious about these gas tubings and their differences. Keep reading!

This is where pumps come in. What if hot water never got a chance to just sit there in the pipes and cool off? What if water flowed through all of the hot water pipes in a big loop so that it was constantly being kept nice and hot by the water heater?

Have you ever turned on a hot water faucet only to have to wait FOREVER for the water to get warm? Read this article to learn how you can get instant hot water to your kitchen and bathroom faucets.

But wait a minute! Without a loop or some way to return the water, there would be no flow. That’s where the crossover tee comes in. Sometimes called a “bridge valve”, this ‘tee’ fitting is installed under the sink that is farthest away from the water heater. It is installed between the hot and cold pipes of the sink so that it “bridges” between the hot and cold water systems.

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The length of this hot water pipe determines how long it will take for hot water to get to your faucet after it leaves the tank. When not in use, the hot water cools off in the water pipes and is the first to rush out when a faucet is turned on.

CSST is primarily corrugated stainless steel and has a plastic outer sheath. Traditionally made of corrugated brass, FAC is now made of corrugated stainless steel.

Depending on the house floor plan, it may take more than one of the crossover valves to get hot water quickly to all of the faucets. Also, because of the way it works, there sometimes is lukewarm water that comes out of the cold side of the faucet for a few seconds when it is turned on.

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Ali has a Ph.D and is an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer who has worked in the Energy Industry. He is skilled in: Finite, Element Simulation, Solidworks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, PVelite, Caesar II, PDMS, Microsoft Word, Power Plants, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and Feasibility Studies. He has an outstanding research background in Laser Material Processing, Fuel Cells, Renewable Energy, and Heat Sinks.

Installing CSST involves running the tubing through walls, floors, and ceilings and connecting it with compatible fittings (see Figure 2). It’s important to note that only certified CSST installers can perform this installation.

Have you ever noticed the yellow tubing behind your stove that connects it to the gas line? If your home’s gas line is not old, you will likely find all your movable gas appliances, including your stove and dryer, are connected to the gas piping system using that yellow tubing. That tubing is a Flexible Appliance Connector (FAC) commonly known as a gas connector.

Feel free to reach out if you have any recirculation-related questions. We are an award-winning gas line plumber in the north DFW area, and our reputation for integrity, craftsmanship, and upfront pricing speaks for itself.