A laser based water heating element formed from at least two components, e.g., a shaft and a laser beam generator, wherein the shaft and laser beam generator of the laser based water heating element are axially aligned, i.e., the shaft is centered on the laser beam generator, where the laser beam generator is a self-contained green, infrared and red-line laser module with an integrated laser driver circuit, optics and laser diode such that, in operation, the laser beam generator generates a laser beam with an output power that is sufficient to cause the shaft to generate radiant heat and thereby cause the temperature of water within a water heater to rise.

A heat pump may include a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a first temperature sensor configured to detect an outdoor temperature, a second temperature sensor provided in heating pipes connected to a heating device, and a controller. Based on a first sensing value of the first temperature sensor, the controller may be configured to control a compressor, control power to a boiler, and/or calculate an expected efficiency of the heat pump. Based on the expected efficiency and/or a second sensing value of a second temperature sensor, the controller may be configured to control power to the boiler.

A modularized combined intelligent heat collector system, comprising a PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine, a data control template, a constant-temperature and constant-pressure device and a variable-frequency pump; the variable-frequency pump and the PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine are connected to the data control template; the outlet end of the PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine is connected to the constant-temperature and constant-pressure device; the outlet end of the constant-temperature and constant-pressure device is connected to the PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine through the variable-frequency pump; the PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine directly leads out a user heating pipeline; and/or the PTCR-xthm electric heating chip heat source main engine leads out the user heating pipeline through the constant-temperature and constant-pressure device, and is connected to a heat exchanger of a user water heater.

A heated and chilled water dispenser comprising: a housing; an input port fast with the housing for connection to a mains pressure water supply; at least one chilled water container arranged to receive water from the input port; a water chilling assembly arranged to cool said at least one chilled water container; at least one hot water tank including a heating element and a water receiving arrangement to receive water from the input port, the water receiving arrangement including an inlet valve responsive to water level; an inlet plenum associated with the inlet valve, the plenum being coupled with the input port to receive water, the plenum further comprising a fill pipe coupled to the hot water tank for supplying water to the hot water tank; a thermostat coupled to said at least one hot water tank for controlling the heating element and thus temperature of water within the hot water tank; a two way outlet tap configured for dispensing hot water from the hot water supply or chilled water from the chilled water container in accordance with a user's selection; a liquid delivery device coupled to said at least one hot water tank for supplying hot water from the hot water tank, said device being arranged to be actuated by the outlet tap.

A water heater insert device positioned within an electrical showerhead or as a standalone liquids heating device. The water heater insert optimizes heat transfer by channeling water through a channel of a spiral or zigzag form where a deployed heating element supplies thermal energy. The channel maximizes water contact while minimizing the space. A temperature limiter adds protection against scalding.

An electric water heater is disposed close to a faucet to readily provide heated water to the faucet. This heater provides heated water without the wait required to obtain hot water from the main, remotely-located, hot water heater such as a hot water tank. The electric hot water heater includes a heater tube disposed in contact with an electric resistance heater. The electric resistance heater does not directly contact the water in the heater tube. The electric resistance heater heats the sidewall of the heater tube which, in turn, heats the water in the heater tube. Two layers of insulation are disposed over the electric resistance heater. The heater tube is placed in line with the regular hot water supply pipe.

The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration and heating technologies, and in particular to a mobile type cold and hot integrated apparatus realized by a compressor, a thick film heater and a water circulation way in a single sealed space without heat exchange of an outdoor machine. The apparatus comprises a shell body, as well as a water circulation cooling compressor refrigeration system and a water circulation thick film heating pipe heating system which are provided in the shell body; wherein the water circulation cooling compressor refrigeration system comprises a refrigeration heat-dissipation module, a water pump A, a water tank, a compressor and a heat-dissipation water tank, the water circulation thick film heating pipe heating system comprises a thick film heating pipe, as well as the water tank and the refrigeration heat-dissipation module which are shared with the water circulation cooling compressor refrigeration system. The apparatus of the present invention has the advantages of good refrigeration heating effect, integrated heat and coldness, customized volume, no need of installation of an outdoor machine, environmental protection and energy saving, plug and play and movable functions, no influence on the environment, comfort for a human body, small energy consumption, and indoor heat storage for life use.

A heated sleeve for providing temperature control for a sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve comprises a water-resistant exterior shell; a thermally-insulating interior lining; a micro-controller disposed between the interior lining and the exterior shell; a temperature sensor disposed between the interior lining and the exterior shell and in communication with the micro-controller; a heating element disposed between the interior lining and the exterior shell; and a power source assembly providing power to the micro-controller and to the heating element. Temperature is provided by monitoring temperature of an interior of the sleeve.

In a method for operating a heat pump system, heat can be supplied to a heating circuit medium using a heat pump; a heating circuit medium flows through a heating circuit; in a first operating mode of the heat pump system, heat is supplied to at least one heat sink located in the heating circuit between a flow line of the heating circuit and a return line of the heating circuit; in a second operating mode of the heat pump system, heat is supplied to a buffer located in the heating circuit between the flow line and the return line and in parallel with the at least one heat sink. In a third operating mode of the heat pump system, an electrical heating device is used to supply heat to the heating circuit medium located in the buffer in order to start the heat pump.

Provided is a method of signalling a command to a water heating appliance remote from a controllable water outlet fed from the appliance via a water supply installation, the method comprising: monitoring the water supply that feeds the controllable water outlet; detecting a sequence of changes in a property or state of the water supply consequent on operation of the controllable water outlet; correlating the sequence of changes with a stored pattern; detecting a match above a stored threshold; interpreting the match as a command. It is thus possible to manipulate a tap, or other controllable water outlet, to signal to a processor so that the temperature or flow rate of water supplied by the outlet can be increased. Thus a water supply system may have default flow and temperature levels designed for economy and low water usage, but a user can on demand override one or both of these limitations without the necessity of needing to go to the appliance to reset it. The water heating appliance is preferably an instantaneous water heating appliance. Also provided is a water supply installation including a water heating appliance, a controllable water outlet remote from the appliance, a water supply line arranged to feed the controllable water outlet with heated water from the appliance, and at least one sensor to sense a property or state of the water supply line, and a processor coupled to the at least one sensor; the processor being configured to detect a sequence of changes in a property or state of the water supply consequent on operation of the controllable water outlet; correlate the sequence of changes with a stored pattern; detect a match above a stored threshold; interpret the match as a command; and take an action in accordance with the command.