An HVAC controller may wirelessly communicate with a mobile wireless device that provides a user interface for interacting with the HVAC controller. In some cases, the communication module wirelessly receives a sensed parameter from a remote wireless sensor in a living space of the building and receives a wired input from a return air sensor. A controller may be operatively coupled to the communication module and may control the HVAC system based at least in part on the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor when the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor is available and, in some cases, control the HVAC system based at least in part on the return air parameter when the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor is not available.

System and method for grid load-up dual set point. The invention provides a method of operating a water heater having a tank configured to store water. The method includes heating, via a first heating element, a first portion of the water to a first temperature set point. The method also includes heating, via a second heating element, a second portion of the water to a second temperature set point, the second temperature set point being greater than the first temperature set point. The method additionally includes receiving a load-up signal from a grid controller, and heating, via the first heating element, the first portion of the water to the second temperature set point upon receiving he load-up signal.

A method and system of providing hot water efficiently. A cost of heating a volume of water to a predetermined temperature in a first water heater is determined. A cost of transferring a volume of hot water from a second water heater of a network of interconnected water heaters to the first water heater is determined. Upon determining that the cost of transferring the volume of hot water from the second water heater is lower than the cost of heating the volume of water of the first water heater, the second water heater transfers at least part of the volume of hot water to the first water heater. Otherwise, the volume of water is heated to the predetermined temperature in the first water heater.

A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.

A water heater monitoring and notification method includes determining, by a controller of a water heater system, a deviation of a duration of a pre-purge operation from a pre-purge duration average value. The method further includes determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a flame current from a flame current average value and determining, by the controller of the water heater system, a deviation of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) parameter from a PWM parameter average value. The method also includes providing a notification related to a combustion system of the water heater system based on at least the deviation of the duration of the pre-purge operation from the pre-purge duration average value, the deviation of the flame current from the flame current average value, and the deviation of the PWM parameter from the PWM parameter average value.

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.

The embodiments of the present application disclose a combustion control system of a gas water heater or wall-hanging boiler, and a control method thereof. The system comprises: a flue gas channel consisted of a combustor, a heat exchanger and a stepless speed regulating fan and a smoke tube, which are connected sequentially; a control unit connected to a signal input end of the stepless speed regulating fan; a wind pressure sensor assembly that detects a pressure signal upstream of an impeller of the stepless speed regulating fan, a signal output end of the wind pressure sensor assembly being connected to the control unit; the control unit comprising a storage for storing a correspondence relationship between the pressure signal upstream of the stepless speed regulating fan and a thermal load of the combustor, and a controller that controls operation of the stepless speed regulating fan according to the correspondence relationship. The present application further regulates the rotational speed of the stepless speed regulating fan by detecting the pressure signal upstream of the impeller of the stepless speed regulating fan, thereby achieving a better wind-resistant performance of the present application.

The present disclosure provides a water heating system for efficient heating of water for immediate use that fits either to industrial applications or household applications. The water heating system is suitable to be combined with a solar heating unit and it can be operated on electric power or on gas-based heating units for providing hot water to multiple consumers for household or industrial utilization. Furthermore, the system can be stand-alone, operating without any additional water heating system and can provide an immediate stream of hot water, e.g. it can be installed within a water supplying appliance. The water can operate in two modes: (1) heating for immediate use of hot water; and (2) heating water to be contained in a reservoir for later use. The system uses a two (bi) directional flow valve.

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 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.