A computer-implemented method predictively prepares a water provision system installed in a building. The water provision system includes a heat pump configured to transfer thermal energy from the surrounding to a thermal energy storage medium and a control module configured to control operation of the heat pump. The water provision system is configured to provide water heated by the thermal energy storage medium to an occupant of the building at one or more water outlets. The method is performed by the control module and includes: receiving a current location of the occupant, estimating an expected arrival time for the occupant to arrive at the building based on the current location, and determining an expected occupancy of the building based on the expected arrival time.

The disclosure discloses a multi-type air conditioner system including: an outdoor machine, a refrigerant pipe connected with an output end of the outdoor machine, a manifold connected with an input end of the refrigerant pipe, an indoor machine connected with an output end of the refrigerant pipe, and a controller connected respectively with the outdoor machine and the indoor machine through a shielded signal line, wherein the multi-type air conditioner system may further include: a pipe set including a composite pipe, a third cutoff valve, a third filter, a third electronic expanding valve, a fourth cutoff valve and a pipe control board. With the disclosure, heating can be provided by precisely controlling indoor temperature and effectively lower power consumption.

When hot water supply and room heating are requested simultaneously, a hot water supply operation, by which energy saving is achieved without impairing the comfortability in a room, is performed. A heat-pump apparatus of a variable operation capacity type, a primary water circuit, a hot water tank, a room heater, and a controller are provided. The controller sets a hot water supply operation completion target time in the case of a requests for a simultaneous hot water supply and room heating operation, based on a temperature difference between the outdoor air temperature and the indoor temperature, and determines the rotation speed of the compressor in the hot water supply operation completion target time set.

Hot water heating system comprising one or more water heaters with at least one water heating mechanism, and a heating-control storage tank generally configured to store heated water in a temperature stratified manner where hotter water tends to be separated from cold water. The heating-control storage tank can receive thermal energy or hot water from the water heater, send thermal energy or water to the water heater as its makeup water, and provide hot water directly to end users. The water heater may or may not be used to provide hot water to end users. The system is electronically controlled using a processor, various sensors, a recirculation pump, and electronically actuated valves. Depending on hot water needs and energy costs, the system controls water heating schedule and amount of hot water stored in the heating-control storage tank by changing system operation modes to minimize energy costs while providing reliable service.

A water heater appliance, including methods of operation, is provided herein. The water heater appliance may include a casing, a tank, an inlet conduit, an electric heating system, and a controller coupled to an auxiliary power generator. The tank may be disposed within the casing and define an inlet and an outlet. The inlet conduit may be mounted to the tank at the inlet of the tank. The controller may be operably coupled to the electric heating system and configured to initiate a heating cycle. The heating cycle may include identifying a daily peak auxiliary power period, determining a contemporary voltage reading at the water heater appliance, predicting an occurrence of the daily peak auxiliary power period from the auxiliary power generator, and heating water within the water heater at the predicted occurrence of the daily peak auxiliary power period.

Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.

A heat pump apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit configured to circulate refrigerant having flammability; a heat medium circuit configured to allow a heat medium to flow therethrough; a heat-medium heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium; an outdoor unit configured to accommodate the refrigerant circuit and the heat-medium heat exchanger; and an indoor unit configured to accommodate a part of the heat medium circuit, the outdoor unit including a refrigerant release valve, the refrigerant release valve being at least one of a pressure relief valve and an air purge valve which are provided in the heat medium circuit, the refrigerant release valve being provided outside a casing of the outdoor unit.

An air conditioning system includes a heat pump unit including a radiator usable with a refrigerant, a gas furnace unit including a heating section arranged to heat passing air, a blower arranged to generate an air flow that passes through the radiator and the heating section, a first temperature sensor provided in a room, and a controller configured to control each action of the heat pump unit, the gas furnace unit, and the blower. The temperature sensor detects an indoor temperature in the room. The controller causes the gas furnace unit to operate as a heat source unit when a difference value obtained by subtracting the indoor temperature from a set temperature is equal to or greater than a first threshold at startup, and causes the heat pump unit to operate as a heat source unit when the difference value is less than the first threshold at startup.

A water mixing system attached to an existing plumbing system supplying ambient temperature water and providing temperature regulated water to a user. The water mixing system includes an insulated water tank, a heat pump connected to the insulated water tank with a heat rejecting radiator inside the insulated water tank and a heat absorbing radiator outside the insulated water tank, a temperature detector in the insulated water tank, and one outlet of the insulated water tank connected to a first inlet of a first dispensing water tank. Having a second inlet to receive the ambient temperature water from the existing plumbing system and at least one dispensing outlet, the first dispensing water tank provides mixed water of a desirable temperature from heated water from the insulated water tank and the ambient temperature water via control of the valves attached to the first inlet and the second inlet.

A water mixing system attached to an existing plumbing system supplying ambient temperature water and providing temperature regulated water to a user. The water mixing system includes an insulated water tank, a heat pump connected to the insulated water tank with a heat rejecting radiator inside the insulated water tank and a heat absorbing radiator outside the insulated water tank, a temperature detector in the insulated water tank, and one outlet of the insulated water tank connected to a first inlet of a first dispensing water tank. Having a second inlet to receive the ambient temperature water from the existing plumbing system and at least one dispensing outlet, the first dispensing water tank provides mixed water of a desirable temperature from heated water from the insulated water tank and the ambient temperature water via control of the valves attached to the first inlet and the second inlet.