A hot water heater appliance includes a boiler, a companion water heater and a controller. The controller is configured to control the water heater appliance in response to a scheduled plurality of performance modes based on a preset schedule. A first performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected low usage time and a second performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected high usage time relative to the expected low usage time.

One example embodiment relates to a water heater controller. The water heater controller includes an operating conditions circuit structured to receive temperature measurement signals indicative of temperatures over time of water in a tank of a water heater, and occupancy measurement signals indicative of whether individuals are present in an area proximate the water heater. A drift threshold circuit is structured to, in response to the occupancy measurement signals indicating that an individual is present or not present, define a plurality of drift threshold levels to trigger operation of a heating element of the water heater. A control circuit is structured to controllably operate the heating element based on the occupancy measurement signals and on the plurality of drift threshold levels.

A water heating system including a tank, a first heating element, a second heating element, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a controller having an electronic processor and a memory. The controller is configured to determine an output temperature setpoint, determine whether a period of expected high water demand is approaching, and in response to determining that the period of expected high water demand is approaching, activate the second heating element. The controller is further configured to deactivate the second heating element when a second temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor crosses a second temperature threshold, activate the first heating element when the second temperature crosses the second temperature threshold, and deactivate the first heating element. Wherein the first temperature threshold is lower than the second temperature threshold and the first and second temperature thresholds are higher than the output temperature setpoint.

In an electrical apparatus, a power consumer consumes power. A request acquirer acquires a request for reducing power consumed by the power consumer. Upon the request acquirer acquiring the request, a power controller controls the power consumer based on at least one of environmental information relating to an ambient environment of the electrical apparatus, apparatus information relating to the electrical apparatus, or time information, to reduce the power.

An automatically flushing water heater maintenance system may be provided, the system including a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing, the useful life of the water heater may be extended, and/or water heater leakage alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon using the automatic water heater flushing functionality.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed towards systems and methods for regulating a water heater via a thermostat. The thermostat comprises a receiver configured to receive one or more inputs from one or more sensors configured to monitor, for a predefined duration of time, usage pattern of the water heater. Further, the thermostat comprises a controller configured to determine, via a machine learning neural network, a scheduling pattern for hot water based on the monitored usage pattern. The controller is further configured to operate the water heater based on the scheduling pattern.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed towards systems and methods for regulating a water heater via a thermostat. The thermostat comprises a receiver configured to receive one or more inputs from one or more sensors configured to monitor, for a predefined duration of time, usage pattern of the water heater. Further, the thermostat comprises a controller configured to determine, via a machine learning neural network, a scheduling pattern for hot water based on the monitored usage pattern. The controller is further configured to operate the water heater based on the scheduling pattern.

In a multiple hot water supply system (10) including: multiple hot water supply device (11 to 14); and a control device (15) increasing/decreasing an operating device number of a hot water supply operation performed by the hot water supply devices (11 to 14) according to a demanded hot water supply capacity, the control device (15) includes a function of calculating a continuous standby time of each hot water supply device (11 to 14), and, when there is a hot water supply device whose continuous standby time exceeds a reference standby time set in advance, exerts control so that the hot water supply device most preferentially supplies hot water during a next hot water supply operation.

In a multiple hot water supply system (10) including: multiple hot water supply device (11 to 14); and a control device (15) increasing/decreasing an operating device number of a hot water supply operation performed by the hot water supply devices (11 to 14) according to a demanded hot water supply capacity, the control device (15) includes a function of calculating a continuous standby time of each hot water supply device (11 to 14), and, when there is a hot water supply device whose continuous standby time exceeds a reference standby time set in advance, exerts control so that the hot water supply device most preferentially supplies hot water during a next hot water supply operation.

A water heater includes a leak detection system that is integrated with the water heater. The leak detection system includes a channel that extends circumferentially around the water heater. In one example, the channel is built into the water heater. In another example, the channel is formed by a sensor bracket that is coupled to the water heater. Further, the leak detection system includes a sensor assembly that is configured to detect water that leaks from the water heater. The sensor assembly includes a leak sensor and/or a wicking tube. The wicking tube is disposed around at least a portion of the leak sensor. Further, the wicking tube is disposed in the continuous channel and extends circumferentially along the water heater to create a circumferential area of leak detection around the water heater.