A heating and hot-water supply apparatus shortens the time taken for hot-water supply to stabilize at a set temperature in response to a request for a hot-water supply operation during a heating operation. The apparatus performs, using a common heating medium heated by a heater, a heating operation by circulating the heating medium through a heating terminal, and a hot-water supply operation of heating service water through heat exchange with the heating medium circulated through a hot-water supply heat exchanger and supplying hot water. A distribution unit (three-way valve) changes a distribution ratio of the heating medium between the heating terminal and the hot-water supply heat exchanger. A controller controls an amount of heat generated by the heater for the heating operation or the hot-water supply operation, and stops heating with the heater when the temperature of the heating medium reaches a predetermined upper-limit temperature.

A heating system and method of using such system in a building for zoned radiant heating. The system includes thermostatic radiator valves, each fluidly connected between at least one radiator in a zone of the building and a boiler. A controller is operatively connected to the valves to deactivate the valve positioners when the controller determines that valve activity is likely to have little to no effect on the output of the respective radiator and/or active heating of the building is not desired. For example, the controller determines when the boiler is deactivated and sends a deactivation control signal to the valves operative to prevent the valve positioners from adjusting the respective valve position. In another example, the controller sends the deactivation control signals to the valves at the onset of preprogrammed low usage periods of the heating system.

A heating device apparatus is provided, which includes: a first cavity, a heating member, a second cavity, a heat conducting member, a temperature detector and a controller. The heating member heats the fluid in the first cavity. The fluid inlet of the second cavity is in communication with the fluid outlet of the first cavity. The heat conducting member isolates the first cavity from the second cavity. The temperature detector detects the temperature of the fluid in the second cavity. The controller controls the heating of the heating member according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector. The fluid flows into the first cavity, is heated by the heating member, then flows into the second cavity, and performs heat exchange with the fluid in the first cavity through the heat conducting member when the fluid flows through the second cavity.

An electric water heater is disposed close to a faucet to readily provide heated water to the faucet. This heater provides heated water without the wait required to obtain hot water from the main, remotely-located, hot water heater such as a hot water tank. The electric hot water heater includes a heater tube disposed in contact with an electric resistance heater. The electric resistance heater does not directly contact the water in the heater tube. The electric resistance heater heats the sidewall of the heater tube which, in turn, heats the water in the heater tube. Two layers of insulation are disposed over the electric resistance heater. The heater tube is placed in line with the regular hot water supply pipe.

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.

To curb deterioration of user convenience due to software update of a water warmer in a communication system between a management server and the water warmer through a relay device. A communication adaptor executes first communication for inquiring of the water warmer whether or not software update accompanying writing of an update program is capable of being started. The water warmer gives a notification for obtaining a user's consent to occurrence of an unavailable period of the water warmer due to the software update in response to the first communication, and executes second communication on the communication adaptor in a case in which the user's consent is obtained with respect to the notification. The communication adaptor transmits the update program received from a server to the water warmer in response to the second communication, and the water warmer executes the software update using the received update program.

Provided is a method for measuring the temperature at each location of a pipe in a hot water supply system comprising a water heater, a pipe, and outlets, the method comprising checking for a temperature of a first point (T.sub.P1), which is upstream of the outlet, a temperature of a second point (T.sub.P2), which is downstream of the outlet and an outdoor temperature (T.sub.A), and confirming a length (L) of the pipe from the first point to the second point, then measuring a temperature of the pipe located at a distance of x away from the first point.

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 method of heating water in a water storage tank. The method includes: selecting an outlet port and an inlet port from at least three ports located in the tank at different heights along a vertical direction. The outlet port is below the inlet port. The method further includes extracting water from the outlet port, supplying the extracted water to an external heat exchanger configured for heating the extracted water, and delivering heated water from the heat exchanger to the selected inlet port.

A fired heater has two cells segregated by an insulative wall. A first plurality of burners are located in the first cell and a second plurality of burners are located in the second cell. A radiant tube extends from the first cell to the second cell for carrying a fluid material through the heater to heat the fluid material. The flow of fuel to the burners in either the first cell or the second cell can be terminated to accommodate lower heater duty when demand is lower.