Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.

A hydronic air heater includes a frame assembly defining an enclosure, an inlet air damper formed in a wall of the enclosure and providing a means of ingress for ambient air, a closed heat transfer loop disposed within the enclosure, and a blower assembly disposed within the enclosure. The heat transfer loop includes a boiler for heating a fluid, a pump for circulating the fluid within the loop and a heating coil for receiving the heated fluid from the boiler. The blower assembly is configured to draw air into the enclosure through the inlet air damper and through the heating coil whereby heat from the fluid within the heating coil is transferred to the air.

A hydronic air heater includes a frame assembly defining an enclosure, an inlet air damper formed in a wall of the enclosure and providing a means of ingress for ambient air, a closed heat transfer loop disposed within the enclosure, and a blower assembly disposed within the enclosure. The heat transfer loop includes a boiler for heating a fluid, a pump for circulating the fluid within the loop and a heating coil for receiving the heated fluid from the boiler. The blower assembly is configured to draw air into the enclosure through the inlet air damper and through the heating coil whereby heat from the fluid within the heating coil is transferred to the air.

A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.

A system includes a first subsystem configured to produce a resource by consuming electricity, a second subsystem configured to produce the resource by consuming a fuel, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an allocation of a predicted demand for the resource over a future time period between the first subsystem and the second subsystem based on a first carbon emissions rate associated with off-site production of the electricity and a second carbon emissions rate associated with on-site consumption of the fuel. The controller is also configured to control the first subsystem and the second subsystem to produce the resource in accordance with the allocation during the future time period.

A system includes a first subsystem configured to produce a resource by consuming electricity, a second subsystem configured to produce the resource by consuming a fuel, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine an allocation of a predicted demand for the resource over a future time period between the first subsystem and the second subsystem based on a first carbon emissions rate associated with off-site production of the electricity and a second carbon emissions rate associated with on-site consumption of the fuel. The controller is also configured to control the first subsystem and the second subsystem to produce the resource in accordance with the allocation during the future time period.

A preheat tank to which a heat exchanger is operatively coupled receives water from a distribution subsystem. A water distribution subsystem and tempered fluid distribution subsystem provide domestic water and tempered fluid, respectively, to a plurality of spaces. Air handlers transfer heat between the tempered fluid and the spaces for heating and cooling. A controller coupled to the tempered fluid subsystem, the heat exchanger and a refrigerator has: (i) a first mode, wherein the fluid is routed through the heat exchanger, to pass heat to the preheat tank; and (ii) a second mode, wherein the fluid is routed through an evaporator of the refrigerator, to pass heat to the refrigerant. A storage tank is coupled to the preheat tank to receive water therefrom and is coupled to the condenser of the refrigerator such that heat rejected by the condenser is passed to the contents of the storage tank.

A preheat tank to which a heat exchanger is operatively coupled receives water from a distribution subsystem. A water distribution subsystem and tempered fluid distribution subsystem provide domestic water and tempered fluid, respectively, to a plurality of spaces. Air handlers transfer heat between the tempered fluid and the spaces for heating and cooling. A controller coupled to the tempered fluid subsystem, the heat exchanger and a refrigerator has: (i) a first mode, wherein the fluid is routed through the heat exchanger, to pass heat to the preheat tank; and (ii) a second mode, wherein the fluid is routed through an evaporator of the refrigerator, to pass heat to the refrigerant. A storage tank is coupled to the preheat tank to receive water therefrom and is coupled to the condenser of the refrigerator such that heat rejected by the condenser is passed to the contents of the storage tank.

A method for utilizing heat in a plant or animal growing device includes circulating a heat transfer fluid through a circuit forming a closed fluid loop, heating, via a heat source, the heat transfer fluid in the fluid circuit to a temperature within an efficient operating range of a first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid to a first heat unit, the first heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid to a temperature within an efficient operating range of at least one additional heat unit connected in serial arrangement with the heat source and the first heat unit, supplying heat from the heat transfer fluid from the first heat unit to the additional heat unit, the additional heat unit cooling down at least part of the heat transfer fluid, and returning the cooled down part of the heat transfer fluid from the additional heat unit to the heat source in the fluid circuit.

A heating system of a building includes: a solar heater configured to receive sunlight and to at least one of absorb heat into a refrigerant and augment heat absorbed into the refrigerant; a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant that vaporized via absorption of heat; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to water; an expansion valve configured to reduce at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant after the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to water; a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from water output from the first heat exchanger to air passing the second heat exchanger before flowing into the building; a pump configured to pump the water from the solar heater to the second heat exchanger; and a blower configured to blow air past the second heat exchanger and into the building.