A linked hot water supply system includes: multiple combustion hot water supply devices arranged in parallel between a water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe; and a control means, changing a number of operated units of the hot water supply devices to adjust a heating capacity according to a hot water consumption. The hot water supply devices each includes a water passing volume detection means detecting a water passing volume of tap water introduced from the water supply pipe and an inlet water filter installed to an introduction part of the tap water from the water supply pipe. If the hot water supply devices are operating at a same time, the control means makes a determination on blockage of the inlet water filter installed in each of the hot water supply devices by comparing the water passing volumes of the hot water supply devices in operation.

The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring temperature of a fluid within a vessel, the vessel having a first region and a second region and the fluid having a temperature profile extending between the first region and the second region, the sensor comprising an array of elements, each element having a temperature-dependent parameter, the array being capable of deployment within or adjacent the vessel such that the array extends along the vessel for measuring the temperature profile, the elements of the array being coupled together between an input and an output, the input being coupled or capable of being coupled to a driving source for driving the sensors, and the output being coupled or capable of being coupled to a detector for measuring an aggregate of the temperature-dependent parameter from the array of elements. The invention further relates to a fluid temperature controller comprising a first input for receiving a first signal indicating a measurement of an aggregate of a temperature-dependent parameter from a sensor deployed within or adjacent a vessel containing a fluid having a temperature profile, a second input for receiving a second signal indicating a (preferably absolute) temperature of the fluid in the vessel and a processor configured to calculate a total thermal energy of the fluid in the vessel based on the first and second signals. The invention also relates to a combination comprising a sensing arrangement and a controller; a device; and a system.

A residential and commercial hot water and steam boiler safety system and device that includes at least one hollow pipe, with one plugged or sealed end and a fitting on the other end for connecting the pipe in a substantially vertical mounting position, and at least one two float switch disposed in the pipe and electrically connected in series with a limit switch in the boiler, where the pipe is adopted for the flow and accumulation of water, so that float switch activates as the pipe fills with water and shuts off the boiler by turning off the gas valve, promoting safer boiler and steam boiler operation. Additional float switches positioned above or below in the hollow pipe may provide additional functions, such as a warning light and sound to the owner, or a notification via a telephone or cell phone system or through the home network or Wi-Fi system.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a controller associated with a residence. The controller is configured to determine an expected value range for an operating parameter of a component of the HVAC system. Additionally, the controller is configured to receive a signal from a sensor indicative of a current value of the operating parameter of the component and determine if the current value of the operating parameter is outside the expected value range. Based on the determination that the current value is outside the expected value range, the controller is additionally configured to initiate a diagnostic mode of the controller. In the diagnostic mode, the controller is configured to collect diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system.

A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a controller associated with a residence. The controller is configured to determine an expected value range for an operating parameter of a component of the HVAC system. Additionally, the controller is configured to receive a signal from a sensor indicative of a current value of the operating parameter of the component and determine if the current value of the operating parameter is outside the expected value range. Based on the determination that the current value is outside the expected value range, the controller is additionally configured to initiate a diagnostic mode of the controller. In the diagnostic mode, the controller is configured to collect diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system.

A heat pump assembly (100) is presented. The heat pump assembly (100) comprises a heat pump (110) having a primary side inlet (122) and a primary side outlet (124); a primary side inlet valve assembly (126) comprising: a primary side inlet connection (126a) connected to the primary side inlet (122), a primary side inlet valve first conduit connection (126b) configured to be connected to a first conduit (12) of a thermal energy grid (10), and a primary side inlet valve second conduit connection (126c) configured to be connected to a second conduit (14) of the thermal energy grid (10); a first conduit temperature determining device (105a) configured to measure a local temperature, t.sub.1, of heat transfer liquid of the first conduit (12); a second conduit temperature determining device (105b) configured to measure a local temperature, t.sub.2, of heat transfer liquid of the second conduit (14); and a controller (108). The controller is configured to: receive hand t.sub.2 from the first and second conduit temperature determining devices (105a; 105b), receive information pertaining to whether the heat pump (110) is a heating mode heat pump or a cooling mode heat pump. The controller is configured to upon the heat pump (110) is the heating mode heat pump and upon t.sub.2>t.sub.1 set the primary side inlet valve assembly (126) to fluidly connect the primary side inlet valve first conduit connection (126b) and the primary side inlet connection (126a), primary side inlet valve assembly (126) to fluidly connect the primary side inlet valve or upon the heat pump (110) is the heating mode heat pump and upon t.sub.1>t.sub.2, set the second conduit connection (126c) and the primary side inlet connection (126a). The controller is configured to upon the heat pump (110) is the cooling mode heat pump and upon t.sub.1>t.sub.2, set the primary side inlet valve assembly (126) to fluidly connect the primary side inlet valve second conduit connection (126c) and the primary side inlet connection (126a), or upon the heat pump (110) is the cooling mode heat pump and upon t.sub.2>t.sub.1, set the primary side inlet valve assembly (126) to fluidly connect the primary side inlet valve first conduit connection (126b) and the primary side inlet connection (126a).

A peripheral unit for use in a water regulation system that controls the intake of water in a water circulation system of a building; it has a power source; a user input interface; a motion detector; a communication interface that is configured to establish a connection with the control panel; and a controller that is configured to send a first transmission to the control panel via the connection for causing the controller of the control panel to actuate opening of the water valve for a given period of time; and send a second transmission to the control panel via the connection for causing the controller of the control panel to actuate closing of the water valve.

A fluid heating device comprising a heat pump and an electric heating element can include a system and method that can receive current data from a current sensor and temperature data from a temperature sensor, determine whether the current is greater than or equal to a threshold current and whether the temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature, and output a control signal to heat the fluid using the heat pump only or the electric heating element only based on the current data and the temperature data.

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 hybrid supplemental solar energy collection and dissipation system with one or more heat pumps is featured. The system includes one or more commercially available photovoltaic panels configured to convert incident radiation to electricity. One or more supplemental solar energy collectors having a flow of fluid therein are selectively coupled to the one or more photovoltaic panels. The one or more supplemental solar energy collectors are configured to collect thermal energy from the one or more photovoltaic panels, radiate thermal energy to space, collect thermal energy from the environment and/or dissipate thermal energy to the environment to heat or cool one or more loads. One or more heat pumps are coupled to the one or more supplemental solar energy collectors and the one or more loads and are configured to amplify heating and/or cooling of the one or more loads.