A system and method of minimizing the time between opening a hot water valve and hot water reaching a point of use by temporarily diverting the water to another point of use. The system and method embody a thermally sensitive valve arranged so as to permit the flow of cool water from a hot water supply line to be diverted to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of the water provided. Embodiments of the invention may also comprise timers that function to limit the amount of time that water may flow to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of the water provided. Such embodiments may operate without user intervention or may require that a user or other device provide a signal that causes the invention to divert water to a point of use that is insensitive to the temperature of water provided.