A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.

A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.

Air heating and potable water systems have a thermostat with a computer processing unit (CPU), a hot water heater, a hydronic air handler, and a primary pump controlling flow of hot water from the water heater into the hydronic air handler, which has a hydronic coil, a blower, and a first control panel having a CPU in operative communicates with the thermostat. The hydronic coil receives hot water from the water heater to warm air passing over the hydronic coil. The primary pump is in operative communication with the first control panel and an indicator of hot water flow. The indicator of hot water flow is in operative communication with either the thermostat or the first control panel, and any CPU in the system stores a priority instruction, which upon an indication of hot water flow deactivates or delays activation of the primary pump for a predetermined period of time.

A heating and hot-water-supply apparatus is provided with: a control unit that performs control on the basis of detection parameters of a plurality of detection means installed at the aforementioned locations and a setting parameter set in an operation unit. The distribution means can adjust the distribution ratio so as to correspond to a heating operation, a hot-water supply operation, and the simultaneous heating and hot-water-supply operation. The control unit prohibits the simultaneous heating and hot-water-supply operation in a case in which the required heating capacity for the hot-water supply operation calculated on the basis of the detection parameters and the setting parameter is equal to or greater than a predetermined standard capacity.

A heating and hot-water-supply apparatus is provided with: a control unit that performs control on the basis of detection parameters of a plurality of detection means installed at the aforementioned locations and a setting parameter set in an operation unit. The distribution means can adjust the distribution ratio so as to correspond to a heating operation, a hot-water supply operation, and the simultaneous heating and hot-water-supply operation. The control unit prohibits the simultaneous heating and hot-water-supply operation in a case in which the required heating capacity for the hot-water supply operation calculated on the basis of the detection parameters and the setting parameter is equal to or greater than a predetermined standard capacity.

A combination domestic hot water and space heating system is disclosed. The system includes two refrigerant circuits, one dedicated to heating potable water in a water storage tank and one dedicated to heating a condenser used to heat a space within a building. A controller sends output signals to valves to vary refrigerant flow into the first refrigerant circuit and/or the second refrigerant circuit. The variation in refrigerant flow can be provided by a single multi-directional valve, one or more valves placed at a first end of each refrigerant circuit, and/or one or more electronic expansion valves placed at the end of each refrigerant circuit. Portions of the system can be placed into a single housing, thereby reducing installation costs and labor.

The present invention improves the user-friendliness of a hot-water supply apparatus when using hot water supply and air conditioning. A switching control unit 27, which switches between heat medium flow paths 4 and 5 according to an air conditioning ready state or a hot-water supply ready state, switches a heat medium flow path to the hot-water supply ready state by a switching valve 21 in the case where air conditioning is not used by the time an air conditioning standby time elapses during standby in the air conditioning ready state.

The present invention improves the user-friendliness of a hot-water supply apparatus when using hot water supply and air conditioning. A switching control unit 27, which switches between heat medium flow paths 4 and 5 according to an air conditioning ready state or a hot-water supply ready state, switches a heat medium flow path to the hot-water supply ready state by a switching valve 21 in the case where air conditioning is not used by the time an air conditioning standby time elapses during standby in the air conditioning ready state.

A heating and hot-water supply apparatus shortens the time taken for hot-water supply to stabilize at a set temperature in response to a request for a hot-water supply operation during a heating operation. The apparatus performs, using a common heating medium heated by a heater, a heating operation by circulating the heating medium through a heating terminal, and a hot-water supply operation of heating service water through heat exchange with the heating medium circulated through a hot-water supply heat exchanger and supplying hot water. A distribution unit (three-way valve) changes a distribution ratio of the heating medium between the heating terminal and the hot-water supply heat exchanger. A controller controls an amount of heat generated by the heater for the heating operation or the hot-water supply operation, and stops heating with the heater when the temperature of the heating medium reaches a predetermined upper-limit temperature.

A heating and hot-water supply apparatus shortens the time taken for hot-water supply to stabilize at a set temperature in response to a request for a hot-water supply operation during a heating operation. The apparatus performs, using a common heating medium heated by a heater, a heating operation by circulating the heating medium through a heating terminal, and a hot-water supply operation of heating service water through heat exchange with the heating medium circulated through a hot-water supply heat exchanger and supplying hot water. A distribution unit (three-way valve) changes a distribution ratio of the heating medium between the heating terminal and the hot-water supply heat exchanger. A controller controls an amount of heat generated by the heater for the heating operation or the hot-water supply operation, and stops heating with the heater when the temperature of the heating medium reaches a predetermined upper-limit temperature.