Will Hot Water Take Too Long to Reach My Ensuite?
Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It？
Common Question:
“Will there be a delay in hot water reaching the master ensuite? It’s about 18 metres away from the cylinder. How long for hot water to reach the tap?”
Short Answer:
Yes, a slight delay is expected — and quite normal — in larger homes. With an 18m pipe run, it typically takes 10–20 seconds for hot water to arrive, depending on pipe size, insulation, and layout.
Why the Delay Happens, How the hot water cylinder to ensuite delay:
Distance matters – Water sitting in the pipe needs to flush out before hot water reaches the tap.
Pipe size & type – Larger or uninsulated pipes lose more heat.
Layout – A winding path with more fittings increases wait time.
18m is right on the edge of what’s considered comfortable without extra measures like recirculation.
Hot water that keeps up with your lifestyle!
What You Can Do, how to get hot water faster:
1. Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes and use larger pipes, i.e. 25mm
Helps retain heat between uses
Low-cost and effective for reducing both delay and energy loss
2. Point-of-Use Booster
An under-vanity electric unit (like Insinkerator) delivers near-instant hot water
Great for en-suites or kitchens far from the cylinder
Doesn’t require a full plumbing redesign
3. Add a Recirculation Loop with a controlled timer
The ring main setup returns unused hot water back to the cylinder
Best used with a timer or smart control
Instant hot water at key fixtures, but adds installation and running costs
Note: A ring main running constantly is a common cause of high power bills — it's often overlooked but can be a major energy sink.
When Is It “Too Far”?
20m+ is usually when delays become frustrating
Homeowners often notice when the wait exceeds 15–20 seconds
In high-end homes, expectations for instant comfort are higher
“Not sure if you need a separate hot water cylinder or ring main in your new home? Talk to our team for personalised advice.”