A power electronics assembly of a domestic appliance includes a first relay controlling an electrical contact between a first current-carrying conductor and an electric consumer. The assembly further includes a semiconductor switching element that switches the electrical contact between the first current-carrying conductor and the electric consumer and is arranged in parallel with the first relay. A controller is programmed to activate the semiconductor switching element to switch on the electrical consumer before the first relay is closed.

A power electronics assembly of a domestic appliance includes a first relay controlling an electrical contact between a first current-carrying conductor and an electric consumer. The assembly further includes a semiconductor switching element that switches the electrical contact between the first current-carrying conductor and the electric consumer and is arranged in parallel with the first relay. A controller is programmed to activate the semiconductor switching element to switch on the electrical consumer before the first relay is closed.

The present invention relates to a method of a server for controlling a water heater on the basis of artificial intelligence learning. A server for controlling a water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention receives operation information related to the water heater from the water heater, receives schedule information of a user controlling the water heater from either a terminal device or a schedule server linked to the terminal device, and uses the schedule information to generate control information for controlling the water heater.

A system and a method is described for remotely controlling gas consumption by a power vented gas-fired water heater to reduce consumption of gas by a consumer connected to a gas distribution bank network of a gas provider during overload periods where gas demand is at a peak. The system comprises a consumer controller in communication with the gas provider whereby the controller can operate a modulating gas control valve either directly or through the control of the fan speed of a power vented blower to reduce the supply of gas to the burner of the gas-fired water heater when asked by the provider to do so. Temperature sensors are associated with the water holding tank of the gas-fired water heater to feed water temperature signals to a computer of the controller whereby to enable the controller to execute informed corrective action for the reduction in gas consumption by regulating the gas control valve to reduce the supply of gas to the burner of the water heater.

A system and method for improving the responsiveness of forced hot water heat exchangers placed around the baseboards of conditioned living spaces and improving the efficiently of centralized hot water heating systems. The control system may comprise a convector baseboard heat exchanger or a replacement heat exchanger cover, and a blower, a diffuser and sensors which are mounted to one or more of the baseboard heat exchangers, the heating system influent and effluent loops, the fuel supply and the recirculation pump. When the heating system and forced hot water loop reaches its operating temperature, the blower activates to rapidly transfer energy from the-forced hot water loop into the air and disperse treated, heated air into the conditioned spaces. After the centralized heating system turns off, the system continues to transfer energy from the forced hot water into the air of the conditioned spaces until the latent heat of the centralized heating system has been extracted and the return loop temperatures are at levels consistent with optimal boiler performance.

The disclosed technology includes an on-demand water heater which uses an electric heat source to heat the water. The on-demand water heater can have a low fluid capacity heating chamber which has an inlet and an outlet, an electric heat source for heating the water, and a controller to control the electric heat source and maintain the temperature of the water at a predetermined temperature setting. The on-demand water heater can be powered by a direct current power source. The on-demand water heater can also utilize a solar thermal system to provide additional heat to the water.

Thermal efficiency systems and methods are provided for installation and use in boiler plants. Thermal efficiency systems include a reservoir, a plurality of heat scavengers, a plurality of heat sinks, and a control system. Each heat scavenger can receive system fluid, extract excess heat from a heated plant fluid, and provide the extracted heat into the system fluid to create heated system fluid. Each heat sink can receive and remove heat from heated system fluid to create cooled system fluid. The controller generates and sends control signals to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of valves to control amount of system fluid directed to each heat scavenger and each heat sink.

Thermal efficiency systems and methods are provided for installation and use in boiler plants. Thermal efficiency systems include a reservoir, a plurality of heat scavengers, a plurality of heat sinks, and a control system. Each heat scavenger can receive system fluid, extract excess heat from a heated plant fluid, and provide the extracted heat into the system fluid to create heated system fluid. Each heat sink can receive and remove heat from heated system fluid to create cooled system fluid. The controller generates and sends control signals to selectively activate one or more of a plurality of valves to control amount of system fluid directed to each heat scavenger and each heat sink.

The present invention relates to a method of a server for controlling a water heater on the basis of artificial intelligence learning, and a server for controlling a water heater according to one embodiment of the present invention receives operation information related to the water heater from the water heater, receives schedule information of a user controlling the water heater from either a terminal device or a schedule server linked to the terminal device, and uses the schedule information to generate control information for controlling the water heater.

A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.