Thermal targeting technology is used to continuously adjust boiler target temperature to the minimum necessary to satisfy the required heating load. Responsive to and initiated by a first call for heat, boiler target temperature is reduced by a predetermined amount upon or subsequent to the call for heat. Once the boiler temperature reaches this new target, a call timer is activated. If demand for heat is satisfied before a time set point is reached, the system ceases providing additional heat energy until the next heat demand. Responsive to and initiated by a next call for heat, the boiler target temperature is again reduced by the predetermined amount upon or subsequent to this next call for heat. Each time the heat demand is satisfied within the predetermined time interval, the boiler target temperature is reduced. If heat demand is not satisfied, a thermal boost is provided at set time intervals until the call for heat is removed.

A hydraulic system includes at least one circulation pump assembly (2) provided with a speed controller (4, 26), at least one hydraulic circuit (A, B) connected to the circulation pump assembly (2) as well as at least one mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) which is mechanically subjected to pressure by a fluid in the hydraulic circuit (A, B) and which can be moved into at least two different switch positions. The mechanical switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) moves by the circulation pump assembly (2) hydraulic coupling via the fluid. The speed controller is configured to initiate a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122), by at least one hydraulic force acting upon the switch device (86, 88; 120, 122) and causing a movement of the switch device (86, 88; 120; 122) via the hydraulic circuit, via a speed adaptation of the circulation pump assembly (2).

When a voltage signal is input to input terminals as a positive voltage, the voltage conversion circuit generates a control voltage proportional to an input voltage by a voltage-dividing circuit according to resistance elements, a voltage follower circuit according to an operational amplifier, and a voltage-dividing circuit according to resistance elements. When a voltage signal is input to the input terminals as a negative voltage, since the operational amplifier outputs a power supply voltage according to an input of the negative voltage, the voltage conversion circuit generates a predetermined positive voltage obtained by dividing the power supply voltage by the resistance elements as the control voltage. The predetermined positive voltage is higher than a voltage range of the control voltage when the voltage signal is input as the positive voltage.

A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.

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 combined heating system comprising a first heating subsystem including a first fluid conductor, a first heating unit adapted to heat a first fluid and output the first fluid at the outlet of the first fluid conductor, and a fluid mover adapted to move the first fluid through the first heating unit, a second heating subsystem including a second fluid conductor adapted to receive a second fluid, a third fluid conductor, a second heating unit adapted to heat the second fluid and output the heated second fluid in the third fluid conductor, a fluid mover adapted to move the second fluid from the outlet of the third fluid conductor to the inlet of the second fluid conductor, at least one heat exchanger operably connected to a downstream location of the first heating unit and a fourth fluid conductor connecting the second fluid conductor and the third fluid conductor.

A temperature control apparatus for a building, the apparatus comprising: an electricity generator, operable to contribute to an electrical power supply for consumer appliances at the building; a heat transfer circuit adapted to circulate heat transfer fluid to cool the electricity generator; a heating system comprising a heat source for providing heat energy to a space heater for heating at least one zone of the building and to a hot water tank arranged to store a supply of hot water for the building, and a heat exchanger adapted to supplement the heat energy from the heat source with heat energy obtained from the heat transfer circuit; a user interface adapted to enable a user to select at least one of (a) a desired temperature for the at least one zone of the building, and a first time period during which the desired temperature is to be maintained; and (b) a second time period for the supply of hot water from the hot water tank; and the apparatus further comprising: a controller configured to determine when to operate the electricity generator based on at least one of: (i) the thermal capacity of the hot water tank; and (ii) the first time period, the desired temperature and the current temperature of the at least one zone of the building.

A system and method for controlling a boiler comprising a microcomputer operatively connected to a microcontroller wherein the microcontroller is configured to provide flame safeguard operations and the microcomputer is configured to provide operating control instructions to the microcontroller. The boiler control system may operate either in a stand-alone, cascade master or cascade slave configuration.

A smart circulation control instantaneous-heating storage heat exchanger includes a heat exchanger, a cold-water pipe, a hot-water pipe, an internal circulation pipe, and a control unit. The heat exchanger includes a storage space. The internal circulation pipe includes a two-way valve and a circulation pump. The control unit is connected to the two-way valve and the circulation pump. The internal circulation pipe functions to return a part of heated water back to the storage space to enhance thermal conversion efficiency and save energy and improve controllability. Positions for supplying cold water and returning water are made at different sites, and the circulation pump and the internal circulation pipe are used to selectively execute functions of anti-freezing, pre-heating, and heat balancing. An external circulation pipe is additionally included such that by means of the two-way valve and the circulation pump, switching can be made between internal and external circulations.

A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.