A method and system for providing an interactive learning heating schedule for a water boiler system, the method including the steps: (a) receiving an estimate of an amount of available hot water in a water boiler of the water boiler system; (b) receiving usage data for the water boiler system, the usage data including at least one expected usage pattern extrapolated from the usage data; and (c) generating a heating schedule for the water boiler, based on at least one expected usage pattern and the estimated amount of available hot water.

A water heating system can include a water heater having 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. The water heating system can also include multiple sensing devices, where each sensing device of the plurality of sensing devices measures a parameter associated with the tank. The water heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the plurality of sensing devices, where the controller determines an amount of heated water in the tank based on measurements made by the plurality of sensing devices.

This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for outputting an alarm signal in response to detecting a leak in a water heater device. For example, a water heater device includes a leak sensor, an intermittent pilot light, and a circuit. The circuit includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from the leak sensor, an electrical signal including information indicative of a leak in the water heater device, activate, based on the electrical signal including information indicative of the leak, an alarm device, where the alarm device is powered for at least a period of time by a power source, where the power source is configured to receive energy from a thermoelectric device, and maintain an amount of energy stored by the power source so that the amount of energy is sufficient for the power source to supply energy to the alarm device.

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 includes a storage tank, a sensor configured to measure a temperature of water in the storage tank, a burner configured to heat the water in the storage tank, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the burner. The controller is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, wherein the trigger temperature is a differential amount less than a set-point temperature, calculate a reduced activation time when the call for heat results in a predetermined number of calls for heat occurring within a predetermined time period, and control the burner based on the reduced activation time.

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.

A control system for controlling a gas powered appliance includes a hot surface igniter, an igniter relay, and an integrity detection circuit. The integrity detection circuit is configured to be coupled to a power source, the igniter relay, and the hot surface igniter to produce an output indicative of the integrity of the hot surface igniter and the igniter relay. The integrity detection circuit is configured to output a first voltage when the igniter relay is closed and output a second voltage different from the first voltage when the hot surface igniter is in a non-short circuit failure condition.

A method, system or computer usable program product for controlling an on-demand hot water heater including providing a plurality of nodes for receiving hot water from an on-demand hot water heater in a hot water delivery system, receiving a demand with a node identifier for hot water at a node, determining a hot water temperature for the node from a centralized database, the database including a set of node identifiers with a corresponding set of preset hot water temperatures, and controlling a temperature of hot water flowing from the water heater based on the determined hot water temperature.

In one aspect, a first device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to receive input from a water heater meter that monitors a water heater and provide an output comprising information pertaining to a time estimate related to the provisioning of heated water based on the input.