A heat recovery system includes a compressor, a solar panel, and a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger in fluid connection to form a closed circuit. The compressor is configured to facilitate fluid movement in the fluid circuit between the solar panel, the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger. The solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells connected in parallel, and each solar cell includes a plurality of metal tubes for fluid to pass through. A temperature sensor is mounted within each of the solar cells and configured to measure temperature inside the respective solar cell. Each solar cell is connected to the circuit via a respective pressure valve, and the status of the pressure valve is configured to depend on the measurement of the temperature sensor in the respective solar cell.

A multiway valve, comprising integrally connected first and second valves. Each valve comprises a valve body comprising a user port, a source port and an intermediate chamber placed therebetween, and a shutter inside the intermediate chamber, having a passage orifice for fluid to pass therethrough. The multiway valve comprises movement means allowing the shutters to move between a closed position where each passage orifice faces the inner walls of the respective intermediate chamber to an open position allowing the passage of the fluid between the user and source ports through the passage orifice. The first valve comprises a bypass duct formed in the shutter opening in fluid communication with the passage orifice. The bypass duct allows fluid communication between the intermediate chamber, the passage orifice, the duct, and the user and source ports of the first valve when the shutter is in its closed position.

A multiway valve, comprising integrally connected first and second valves. Each valve comprises a valve body comprising a user port, a source port and an intermediate chamber placed therebetween, and a shutter inside the intermediate chamber, having a passage orifice for fluid to pass therethrough. The multiway valve comprises movement means allowing the shutters to move between a closed position where each passage orifice faces the inner walls of the respective intermediate chamber to an open position allowing the passage of the fluid between the user and source ports through the passage orifice. The first valve comprises a bypass duct formed in the shutter opening in fluid communication with the passage orifice. The bypass duct allows fluid communication between the intermediate chamber, the passage orifice, the duct, and the user and source ports of the first valve when the shutter is in its closed position.

A fluid heating device includes a housing defining an inner volume. A combustion chamber configured to produce heat via combustion such that heat produced by the combustion chamber is transferred to a fluid in the inner volume, and a flue is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and in thermal communication with the inner volume. An electrical heating device is configured to provide heat to the fluid in the inner volume, and a thermoelectric generator is in electrical communication with the electrical heating device. The thermoelectric generator is connected to the flue such that a heat difference between the inner volume of the housing and the interior portion of the flue enables the thermoelectric generator to generate electricity.

A fluid heating device includes a housing defining an inner volume. A combustion chamber configured to produce heat via combustion such that heat produced by the combustion chamber is transferred to a fluid in the inner volume, and a flue is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and in thermal communication with the inner volume. An electrical heating device is configured to provide heat to the fluid in the inner volume, and a thermoelectric generator is in electrical communication with the electrical heating device. The thermoelectric generator is connected to the flue such that a heat difference between the inner volume of the housing and the interior portion of the flue enables the thermoelectric generator to generate electricity.

A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system includes a liquid cooled variable speed genset that is located to the exterior of a building and that is provides heat and power to the interior of the building. The genset may be configured to output an electrical supply of between approximately between 500W and 40 kW. A coolant loop may extend from the exterior genset to the interior of a building and is configured to reclaim heat from one or more sources of waste heat at the engine, generator, oil and/or exhaust. The reclaimed heat is then transferred, directly or indirectly, to the air flow path of a building heating system. In one embodiment, the reclaimed heat is transferred to a liquid circuit via a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and thence to the cold air intake of a forced air furnace via a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. A thermostat may control heat transfer from the mCHP to the heating system.

A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system includes a liquid cooled variable speed genset that is located to the exterior of a building and that is provides heat and power to the interior of the building. The genset may be configured to output an electrical supply of between approximately between 500W and 40 kW. A coolant loop may extend from the exterior genset to the interior of a building and is configured to reclaim heat from one or more sources of waste heat at the engine, generator, oil and/or exhaust. The reclaimed heat is then transferred, directly or indirectly, to the air flow path of a building heating system. In one embodiment, the reclaimed heat is transferred to a liquid circuit via a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and thence to the cold air intake of a forced air furnace via a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. A thermostat may control heat transfer from the mCHP to the heating system.

A settings data storage stores unique serial numbers and information regarding a plurality of patterns for alternately switching between normal operation for operating at high capacity and suppressed operation for operating at low capacity each unit time. A pattern specifier determines information for a pattern set in accordance with even and odd serial numbers. A water-heating heat amount determiner determines a heat amount necessary for water heating. A water heating scheduler establishes a water heating plan based on information regarding the pattern determined by the pattern determiner and the water-heating heat amount as determined by the water-heating heat amount determiner. A water heating controller alternately switches between normal operating and suppressed operation to heat water in accordance with the water heating plan established by the water heating scheduler.

A settings data storage stores unique serial numbers and information regarding a plurality of patterns for alternately switching between normal operation for operating at high capacity and suppressed operation for operating at low capacity each unit time. A pattern specifier determines information for a pattern set in accordance with even and odd serial numbers. A water-heating heat amount determiner determines a heat amount necessary for water heating. A water heating scheduler establishes a water heating plan based on information regarding the pattern determined by the pattern determiner and the water-heating heat amount as determined by the water-heating heat amount determiner. A water heating controller alternately switches between normal operating and suppressed operation to heat water in accordance with the water heating plan established by the water heating scheduler.

Building heating and/or cooling methods of the present disclosure can include continuously distributing fluid from within conduits within a concrete floor of a building to conduits within grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building.