A heating system is configured to optimize the speed and accuracy of the system in achieving various ambient air temperature setpoints, by modulating the heated water supply water setpoint to optimize the slope of the system's response curve. Optimized response curves are automatically determined by analyzing differences between ambient air temperatures over time in response to modulated supply water temperatures as they are reset upward or downward to achieve response times prioritized for improved occupant comfort. The controller of the heating system calculates a temperature slope, and adjusts the supply water setpoint to increase/decrease the speed of ambient temperature rise to achieve a desired slope.

[Object] To provide a temperature control apparatus that has a high degree of freedom in designing a heat exchanger and that is excellent in versatility in terms of the temperature of a circulating liquid even when a high-temperature circulating liquid is used.

[Solution] A temperature control apparatus 1 includes a circulation circuit 12 that delivers a circulating liquid from the main tank 5 to a load that is external and returns the circulating liquid received from the load to the main tank again, a cooling circuit 25 that cools the circulating liquid delivered from a sub-tank 20 with a heat exchanger 33 and returns the circulating liquid to the sub-tank again, and a control unit 40 that controls the flow rate of the circulating liquid flowing through the cooling circuit. The sub-tank is connected to the main tank so as to be capable of leading excessive circulating liquid out of the main tank. A second cooling flow passage 27 of the cooling circuit includes a connecting flow passage 28 that branches from the second cooling flow passage 27 and that is connected to the main tank. A first temperature sensor 61 is provided in the circulation circuit to measure the temperature of the circulating liquid. The control unit controls the output of a cooling pump 55 provided in the cooling circuit on the basis of the measured temperature of the circulating liquid received from the first temperature sensor and controls the flow rate of the circulating liquid from the cooling circuit to the circulation circuit.

[Object] To provide a temperature control apparatus that has a high degree of freedom in designing a heat exchanger and that is excellent in versatility in terms of the temperature of a circulating liquid even when a high-temperature circulating liquid is used.

[Solution] A temperature control apparatus 1 includes a circulation circuit 12 that delivers a circulating liquid from the main tank 5 to a load that is external and returns the circulating liquid received from the load to the main tank again, a cooling circuit 25 that cools the circulating liquid delivered from a sub-tank 20 with a heat exchanger 33 and returns the circulating liquid to the sub-tank again, and a control unit 40 that controls the flow rate of the circulating liquid flowing through the cooling circuit. The sub-tank is connected to the main tank so as to be capable of leading excessive circulating liquid out of the main tank. A second cooling flow passage 27 of the cooling circuit includes a connecting flow passage 28 that branches from the second cooling flow passage 27 and that is connected to the main tank. A first temperature sensor 61 is provided in the circulation circuit to measure the temperature of the circulating liquid. The control unit controls the output of a cooling pump 55 provided in the cooling circuit on the basis of the measured temperature of the circulating liquid received from the first temperature sensor and controls the flow rate of the circulating liquid from the cooling circuit to the circulation circuit.

A water heating system can include a water heater having a tank, and a first temperature sensor disposed toward a top end of the tank to measure a first temperature and a second temperature sensor disposed toward a bottom end of the tank to measure a second temperature. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, where the controller determines an amount of heated water in the tank based on a plurality of algorithms and measurements made by the first and second temperature sensors. The plurality of algorithms solves for at least one calculated temperature for at least one point between a first location of the first temperature sensor and a second location of the second temperature sensor, where the at least one calculated temperature is used to determine the amount of heated water in the tank.

A liquid heating system includes an instantaneous heater (18) having an inlet (20) connected to a reservoir (62). The outlet (22) of the heater is connected to fixtures (72) which use the heated liquid, and is also connected through a return connection (30) to the reservoir. In an idle mode, a pump 40 draws liquid from the reservoir (62), so that the liquid circulates through the heater and back to the reservoir. A controller (52) actuates the heater to heat the liquid to a first setpoint temperature, so that the liquid in the reservoir stabilizes at the first setpoint temperature. In a supply mode, some or all of the heated liquid flows from the outlet to the fixtures (72). Cold liquid is admitted from a supply (60) to the reservoir, and cold liquid desirably also is supplied to the heater inlet along with liquid from the reservoir, so that the heater inlet receives a combination of these. The controller controls the proportion of cold liquid to liquid from the reservoir in the combination, so as to maintain the heater at a setpoint heating rate while also maintaining the temperature of liquid discharged from the heater outlet at or near a setpoint temperature.

A water heater can include a tank, an inlet line, and an outlet line, where the inlet line provides unheated water to the tank, and where the outlet line draws heated water from the tank for a hot water demand. The water heater can also include a heat pump disposed adjacent to a first portion of the tank, where the heat pump applies heat to transform the unheated water to heated water in the first portion of the tank. The water heater can further include a resistive heating element disposed within a second portion of the tank, where the resistive heating element further applies heat to transform the unheated water to heated water in the second portion of the tank.

A system and method of operating a water supply system with one or more water consuming appliances is provided. The water supply system includes a hot water heater for supplying a flow of heated water through a supply conduit to at least one water consuming appliance. The water consuming appliance receives the flow of heated water and provides an indication of a fault condition if excessive water accumulates in the appliance, which might indicate a malfunction with a drain pump or a water supply valve. A safety shutoff valve is positioned on the supply conduit and is in operative communication with the water consuming appliance. The safety shutoff valve is configured for stopping the flow of heated water when it receives the indication of the fault condition.

In a temperature control apparatus for controlling the temperature of a load by supplying high-temperature circulating liquid to the load, a device in which a helical channel portion of a first heat exchange channel through which circulating liquid flows is housed in a second heat exchange channel formed of a channel space in a hollow shell through which coolant flows is used as a heat exchanger for cooling the circulating liquid, cylindrical members are individually fitted on an inflow channel portion and an outflow channel portion connected to opposite ends of the helical channel portion of the first heat exchange channel, and the cylindrical members are each fixed to the shell of the heat exchanger with a weld.

Automated systems, methods, techniques, processes, products and product components are provided to implement an advanced and energy efficient hot water heating system control scheme that incorporates an advanced hot water reset for the boilers, including condensing boilers in hydronic systems. The advanced controls are provided to substantially enhance combustion (heating) efficiency for the boilers. The disclosed schemes replace conventional linear hot water reset with a device which can stand alone or integrate with boiler control technology or an existing building automation system to create a unique (non-linear) boiler reset curve based on various inputs. The schemes allow boiler control systems to learn and adapt over time maximizing the efficiency of a condensing boiler plant, by providing an independent, intelligent, economical, monitorable and manipulable solution eliminating the need of a head end BAS control system.

Methods and compositions for controlling and monitoring residential and commercial pumping systems. Preferably, the controlling and monitoring functions include a remotely located controller component capable of displaying alerts and/or from which a user may input commands regulating the functioning of the plumbing system. In particularly preferred examples, the plumbing system is an on command hot water system in which hot water availability, use and energy efficiencies and conservation are monitored and maximized.