A method and a system for saving liquid and thermal energy, where a centrally located source of liquid is connected via separate feeding conduits to a plurality of liquid tap units. Each feeding conduit (FC1) is connected to a dampening chamber (D1) via a passage (OP1) containing an inlet (INi) to a liquid valve (VI) adapted to open when liquid reaches the inlet, so that liquid will flow from the feeding conduit to the associated liquid tap unit (LT1). Each feeding conduit is also connected to an evacuation pump (EP) via an evacuation valve (EV), which pump empties the feeding conduit after supply of the respective tap unit.

A hot water recirculation system for a house or other building causes water to be recirculated to a water heater for reheating until the water is above a set-point temperature at which time the heated water is made available for use at a faucet or other hot water plumbing fixture. Recirculation of hot water takes place only when there is demand for hot water at a hot water plumbing fixture. A flow switching module for use in the hot water recirculation system can selectively direct water supplied to the flow switching module from a water heater either to a hot water plumbing fixture or to return piping for returning the water to the water heater. The flow switching module may be operated manually, automatically, or semi-automatically.

A liquid distribution unit, for use in a liquid distribution system designed for saving liquid and thermal energy. It comprises and inlet manifold (FL) with a number of branch connections (CI, C2) for connection, in use, with associated feeding conduits (FC1, FC2) and liquid tap units. The inlet manifold device has an inlet end (IE) for joint connection, in use, with a liquid source (LS). Each branch connection has an associated control valve (CV1, CV2) for selective communication, in use, between the liquid source and an associated one of the feeding conduits. Each branch connection is also provided with an additional branch connection located downstream in relation to the associated control valve, as seen when the liquid is refilled into the feeding conduit, and having an associated, separate liquid evacuation valve (EV1, EV2) and an outlet end (OE1, OE2). The outlet ends of the additional branch connections are jointly connectable to an evacuation liquid pump (EP).

An apparatus that includes a refrigeration circuit that includes an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor. The apparatus includes a refrigerant-water heat exchanger that includes a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit. A control valve is operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit to direct flow of refrigerant through at least one of the first condenser during a dehumidification mode and the second condenser during a water heating mode. A damper is disposed on an upwind side of the evaporator, the damper being operable to reduce airflow across the evaporator during a ventilation mode.

A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes: a casing; an air handling unit accommodated in the casing and including a first duct and a first outlet, a second duct and a second outlet, a first fan and a second fan; and a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit and including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger.

An apparatus that includes a refrigeration circuit that includes an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor. The apparatus includes a refrigerant-water heat exchanger that includes a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit. A control valve is operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit to direct flow of refrigerant through at least one of the first condenser during a dehumidification mode and the second condenser during a water heating mode. A damper is disposed on an upwind side of the evaporator, the damper being operable to reduce airflow across the evaporator during a ventilation mode.

A water heater includes a heat exchanger. A controllable three-way proportional valve provides a proportionally controllable flow to the hot water inlet of the heat exchanger and a boiler return water outlet. A mixing tank mixes a cold water and a hot water. The mixing tank provides a time delayed mixed water. A temperature sensor is disposed in or on the mixing tank to measure a temperature of the time delayed mixed water to provide a time delayed mixed water temperature. A feedforward control process running on a processor adjusts a proportional operating position of the controllable three-way proportional valve to regulate a temperature of hot water at the hx domestic hot water outlet based on the temperature of the time delayed mixed water temperature. A method for controlling a hot water temperature of a water heater a water heater using a flowmeter based feedforward control are also described.

A heat pump system is disclosed comprising a heat-exchanger extracting latent heat from liquid stored in a reservoir, thereby forming an ice slurry. The heat pump also includes a device for delivering the heat to a heat consumer. The heat pump system includes a random input of extrinsic liquid into the reservoir and a device for removing ice slurry stored in the reservoir outward the system.

A method for a refrigeration system includes applying, by a gas cooler of the refrigeration system, a first cooling stage to refrigerant circulating through the refrigeration system load. The method further comprises applying, by a heat exchanger located downstream from the gas cooler, a second cooling stage to the refrigerant, wherein the second cooling stage removes heat from the refrigerant, and applying, by the heat exchanger located downstream from the gas cooler, the heat removed during the second cooling stage to a water heating system operable to heat water.

Recovery system for the recovery of thermal energy from waste water from building, which system comprises a heat pump adapted to absorb thermal energy from a non-freeze liquid circulating through the heat pump and arranged to deliver thermal energy to water flowing through the heat pump, a heat exchanger device that is in contact with said waste water, and a pipeline system disposed between the heat pump and the heat exchanger device, and in which non-freeze liquid can circulate. The heat exchanger device is designed so that the non-freeze liquid passes through the heat exchanger device, whereby the non-freeze liquid is able to absorb thermal energy from the waste water. Further, the system comprises a collector tank, and a pipeline system for supplying waste water to the collector tank. The heat exchanger device is disposed in the collector tank, wherein the non-freeze liquid can absorb thermal energy from waste water in the collector tank.