A hybrid heating system for use with a gas supply and an electricity supply to provide a temperature controlled environment is provided, the hybrid heating system comprising: a hybrid heater, the hybrid heater including a firebox, a gas burner housed in the firebox and providing a first heat source, a variable pressure gas valve in fluid communication with the gas burner, a modulating actuator in mechanical communication with the variable pressure gas valve, a housing attached to the firebox, an electric element housed in the housing, the electric element providing a second heat source, a high duty cycle on off switch in electrical communication with the electric element; a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the modulating actuator and the high duty cycle on off switch; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with both the modulating actuator and the high duty cycle on off switch.

A hybrid heating system for use with a gas supply and an electricity supply to provide a temperature controlled environment is provided, the hybrid heating system comprising: a hybrid heater, the hybrid heater including a firebox, a gas burner housed in the firebox and providing a first heat source, a variable pressure gas valve in fluid communication with the gas burner, a modulating actuator in mechanical communication with the variable pressure gas valve, a housing attached to the firebox, an electric element housed in the housing, the electric element providing a second heat source, a high duty cycle on off switch in electrical communication with the electric element; a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the modulating actuator and the high duty cycle on off switch; and a microprocessor which is in electronic communication with both the modulating actuator and the high duty cycle on off switch.

A dual energy gas water heater is described and wherein a square flange, curved resistor style resistive heating element, is secured in a bottom portion of the tank of the water heater spaced above a top wall of the combustion chamber. A gas burner is secured in the combustion chamber and connected to a gas supply line through a gas valve. The curved resistive heating element is a low density, long life, element having a density in the range of about 20 to 80 watts/sq. inches. A switch is secured between the thermostat of the resistive heating element and the voltage supply line. A controller selectively operates the switch and the gas valve to disconnect the voltage supply line from the thermostat and/or shut-off the gas valve secured to the gas supply line depending on the desired source of energy. The controller is adapted to be optionally controlled by a utility/provider through a communication link. Renewable energy source may also be secured to an additional resistive heating element to improve the efficiency thereof.

A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.

A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.

Embodiments described herein generally relate to a domestic hot water (DHW) preheater operable to supply domestic hot water to a structure and/or to preheat a cold return of a space heating system.

A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.

A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.

The present disclosure discloses an optimal operation control method of the air-source heat pump and gas-fired heater combined heating system, including constructing a mathematical model of the air-source heat pump and gas-fired heater combined heating system to simulate real time energy consumption; determining a comprehensive evaluation index system of the combined heating system, including primary evaluation indexes of energy conservation, environmental protection and economical efficiency, and secondary evaluation indexes of EER, clean energy utilization rate, carbon dioxide emission and operation cost; calculating indexes through an analytic hierarchy process and then constructing a comprehensive objective function, to determine operation mode when the comprehensive objective function is the maximum by taking the priority of meeting the heating requirement as a principle, so as to achieve the purpose of optimizing the combined heating system, and achieve the combined heating system efficient, energy-saving and environmental protection.

The present disclosure discloses an optimal operation control method of the air-source heat pump and gas-fired heater combined heating system, including constructing a mathematical model of the air-source heat pump and gas-fired heater combined heating system to simulate real time energy consumption; determining a comprehensive evaluation index system of the combined heating system, including primary evaluation indexes of energy conservation, environmental protection and economical efficiency, and secondary evaluation indexes of EER, clean energy utilization rate, carbon dioxide emission and operation cost; calculating indexes through an analytic hierarchy process and then constructing a comprehensive objective function, to determine operation mode when the comprehensive objective function is the maximum by taking the priority of meeting the heating requirement as a principle, so as to achieve the purpose of optimizing the combined heating system, and achieve the combined heating system efficient, energy-saving and environmental protection.