Methods and compositions for controlling and monitoring residential and commercial pumping systems. Preferably, the controlling and monitoring functions include a remotely located controller component capable of displaying alerts and/or from which a user may input commands regulating the functioning of the plumbing system. In particularly preferred examples, the plumbing system is an on command hot water system in which hot water availability, use and energy efficiencies and conservation are monitored and maximized.

A water heating system can include a first tank-based water heater having a first inlet line and a first outlet line, where the first inlet line provides unheated water to the first tank, and where the first outlet line draws heated water from the first tank. The system can also include a first tankless water heater having a second outlet line, where the second outlet line of the first tankless water heater provides the heated water to a first heated water demand. The system can also include a first valve that controls an amount of the unheated water flowing through the first inlet line to the first tank-based water heater. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the first valve, where the controller controls a position of the first valve based on the first heated water demand and a first capacity of the first tankless water heater.

A single capacitive sensor that may detect both water leaks and flammable vapors. The sensor may have two electrodes not touching each other but supported with an insulative material between the electrodes that allows fluids to enter between the electrodes. An electronic circuit connected to the capacitive sensor may determine the capacitance of the two electrodes. Fluids may enter between the electrodes and affect their capacitance. Permittivities of the fluids may be calculated from their effects on capacitance. Ranges of the permittivities may indicate the kind of substances and their intensity of presence. Water and flammable vapors are examples of such substances. The electronic circuit may be connected to a control module of a water heater, in that if the intensity or concentration of detected water or flammable vapors reaches a pre-set threshold, then the circuit may trigger an alarm and/or shut down the water heater.

A hydronic system and method of use that will maintain normal system operating pressure while also reliably detecting even very small fluid losses in any closed loop fluid heat transfer system is described. The system includes a controller having clock or timing functionality in communication with one or more pressure sensors and a fluid supply valve that provides one or more notifications when the pressure drops below predetermined levels during predetermined periods of time. Depending on the nature of the pressure loss, the system has the capability of opening a fluid supply valve to provide make up fluid and increase system pressure.

A water heater with a leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in an insulation cavity between an inner storage tank and an outer protective jacket of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly is configured to detect water that leaks from the storage tank. Further, the water heater includes a barrier that is disposed in the insulation cavity and wrapped around the inner storage tank to channel the water that leaks from the storage tank towards the leak sensor assembly, and prevent the water that leaks from the storage tank from flowing through an insulation material that is disposed in the insulation cavity.

A device for igniting a pilot light for a heating appliance or for re-igniting the pilot. The device may monitor a thermopile at the pilot to determine if the pilot is lit and, if not, attempt to relight it. If the device fails to relight the pilot, it may continue attempting to relight the pilot until the stored energy is nearly depleted. Before the stored energy is depleted, the device may send a message indicating a failure to relight. The last of stored energy may alert a homeowner with an alarm that the appliance control has shut down and the pilot could not be relit. If the amount of energy stored drops below a specified threshold and the device successfully lights the pilot, it may restore the control to normal operation, and replenish the stored energy. The device may do a standing pilot or an intermittent pilot.

The invention relates to an arrangement for detecting and locating a leakage in a water pipe system, having a water treatment system, having a pump, having a supply line and a drain, having at least one circulation line connected to the supply line and the drain, having at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve and at least one pressure sensor in at least one circulation line and/or the supply line and the drain, wherein the inlet valve and the outlet valve are electrically controllable, having control means for controlling the inlet valves and the outlet valves, having detection means for detecting the timewise development of the measured values of the at least one pressure sensor, with evaluation means for evaluating the timewise development of the pressure change and for comparing the amount of the pressure change with a limit value, and with output means for the output of a leakage indicating indication signal if the amount of the pressure change exceeds the limit value. This arrangement solves the technical problem of improving the detection and, if necessary, location of a leakage.

A hydronic system and method of use that will maintain normal system operating pressure while also reliably detecting even very small fluid losses in any closed loop fluid heat transfer system is described. The system includes a controller having clock or timing functionality in communication with one or more pressure sensors and a fluid supply valve that provides one or more notifications when the pressure drops below predetermined levels during predetermined periods of time. Depending on the nature of the pressure loss, the system has the capability of opening a fluid supply valve to provide make up fluid and increase system pressure.

A fluid discharge event detection apparatus measures a change in capacitance to detect the presence of a fluid in a sensing conduit where the presence of fluid indicates a discharge event. The apparatus includes a first conduit, the sensing conduit and a control valve, coupled between the first conduit and the sensing conduit. The control valve is configured to activate and fluidly couple the first conduit and the sensing conduit to one another when the control valve detects at least one predetermined condition of a fluid within the first conduit. A sensor, configured to measure a capacitance value, is disposed about the sensing conduit. A controller, coupled to the sensor, is configured to detect a change in the sensing conduit capacitance value and assert an alarm condition upon detection of the change in the sensing conduit capacitance value.

A water heater includes a leak detection system. The leak detection system includes a leak sensor assembly that is disposed in a bottom pan of the water heater. The leak sensor assembly includes a sensor housing that has a sensor channel that is formed therein such that the sensor channel is disposed at an elevation from a base of the bottom pan when the sensor housing is disposed on the base of the bottom pan. Further, the leak sensor assembly includes a leak sensor that is disposed in the sensor channel of the sensor housing. The leak sensor detects water that leaks from the water heater and accumulates in the bottom pan when a level of the water in the bottom pan rises to the elevation of the sensor channel and the leak sensor that is disposed therein.