The present disclosure relates to combined heat and power plants. The teachings thereof may be embodied in methods for operating such a plant to provide electrical and thermal energy to a consumer unit, comprising: simultaneously generating electrical energy and heat in a process flow based on a demand for electricity; storing heat generated in excess of a demand for heat; and increasing a heat output when a difference between an actual provided heat output and the demand for heat is exceeded.

A domestic power plant has a housing which has an external air connection and an output air connection, and comprises a ventilation device with a heat exchanger. The ventilation device is connected to the external air connection such that external air can flow in a first air tract via the heat exchanger, or via an external air bypass past the heat exchanger, into a feed air tract of the domestic power plant. The feed air tract runs at least partially within the housing. The domestic power plant also has an exhaust air tract in which an air volume flow, brought about by the ventilation device, can be propagated within the housing and a fuel cell unit.

An electrical radiator type heating appliance comprises a case housing a heater member producing a first flow of calories (F1) when an input of the heater member is powered by a direct electric voltage. The heating appliance also comprises a voltage converter implanted in the case and comprising an input provided with connection elements for connecting the voltage converter to an electric power supply source and an output delivering a direct electric voltage adapted to directly or indirectly power the input of the heater member.

An electrical radiator type heating appliance (10) comprises a case (11) housing a heater member (12) producing a first flow of calories (F1) when an input (121) of the heater member (12) is powered by a direct electric voltage. The heating appliance (10) also comprises a voltage converter (14) implanted in the case (11) and comprising an input (141) provided with connection elements for connecting the voltage converter (14) to an electric power supply source (13) and an output (142) delivering a direct electric voltage adapted to directly or indirectly power the input (121) of the heater member (12).

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to preventing or lessening ice in remote water tanks. The remote water tanks can include a body at least partially defining a chamber that receives a liquid and having an open top portion that provides one or more animals access to the liquid. Further, a heat exchanger can be at least partially received within the chamber, and can receive a thermal transfer fluid that is circulated therethrough to maintain a temperature of the liquid in the chamber. Also, an external heat collector can be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to transfer solar or other heat to the thermal transfer fluid as the thermal transfer fluid is circulated therethrough.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to preventing or lessening ice in remote water tanks. The remote water tanks can include a body at least partially defining a chamber that receives a liquid and having an open top portion that provides one or more animals access to the liquid. Further, a heat exchanger can be at least partially received within the chamber, and can receive a thermal transfer fluid that is circulated therethrough to maintain a temperature of the liquid in the chamber. Also, an external heat collector can be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to transfer solar or other heat to the thermal transfer fluid as the thermal transfer fluid is circulated therethrough.

A water heater may include a water tank, a burner, a pilot for igniting the burner, an ignitor for igniting the pilot, a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with a flame of the pilot, a controller for controlling an ignition sequence of the pilot using the ignitor, and a rechargeable power storage device for supplying power to the ignitor and the controller. The rechargeable power storage device may be rechargeable using the energy produced by the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to selectively run only the pilot for at least part of a heating cycle to increase the recharge time of the rechargeable power storage device while still heating the water in the water heater.

Disclosed is a system for the production of hot or cold water including: a water reservoir suitable for supplying water to a thermal conditioning device, and/or to a tap; a refrigeration unit having heat exchangers, of which one of the two heat exchanger is immersed in a water receptacle; pipes providing communication between the water reservoir, the water receptacle, a water network, the tap and thermal conditioning devices. The system further includes a box body containing the refrigeration unit and a ventilation mechanism configured to generate an airflow passing through the heat exchangers of the refrigerating unit.

A flame powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a first power source and a second power source separate from the first power source, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, an igniter and a controller. The thermal electric and/or photoelectric device may charge the first power source when exposed to a flame. The controller and the igniter may receive power from the first power source when the first power source has sufficient available power, and may receive power from the second power source when the first power source does not have sufficient available power.

A power supply system for an a.c. resistive element (10) comprises a first input point for an a.c. mains power source (14) and a second input point for d.c. power derived from photovoltaic panels and/or wind generators (24). Switches (18, 36) are provided between the power input points and the element (10). Timers (60, 62) are provided for delaying closing of that one of the switches (18, 36) that is open on change over from one power source to the other whereby the closed switch opens before the open switch closes. The voltage at the d.c. power input point is detected by a voltage sensor (42). The output from the sensor (42) powers an optical switch (46) which operates a relay (58) which in turn supplies power to one or other of the timers (60, 62) and one or other of the switches (18, 36).