A system and related method to analyze operation of a heating system of a building based on fuel consumption and fuel demand of the building. The system includes a database of information about the heating system of the building, a first sensor set arranged to gather fuel consumption information and a second sensor set arranged to gather fuel demand information within the building. The system includes a fuel usage and demand analysis function configured to analyze data from the first sensor set and from the second sensor set to output a determination of operation of the heating system based on consumption information and demand information.

A relay device and a hot water supply device are provided. A communication adapter downloads an update program for software update of the constituent devices of a hot water supply system from a management center via a communication network (the Internet). The downloaded update program is stored in a storage part in the communication adapter. When there is more than one software update target device, the communication adapter sequentially selects one of the target devices and sequentially transmits the update program stored in the storage part to the devices one by one via a communication line.

A temperature sensor securing system and method is described for securing two or more temperature sensors against an outer surface of a side wall of a tank of an electric water heater. The temperature sensors are secured spaced apart on an elongated support such as a circuit board which is held in position against the tank outer surface by support means. An expandable liquid foam causes the temperature sensors to be biased against the outer surface of the tank side wall to sense the temperature of the side wall at the location of the sensors and to generate actual temperature signals to a controller which is programmed to communicate with a subscriber and/or energy provider to control the water temperature inside the tank.

A low leakage current fluid heater and systems and methods thereof. The fluid heater has a configuration whereby a heating element is isolated from a fluid channel so as to leak into fluid passing through the channel an allowed amount of leakage current. Fluid passing through the fluid heater can be heated to a desired temperature. A controller can provide control signals to driver the fluid heater to the desired temperature and maintain the temperature at the desired temperature.

A water heating system can include a first tank-based water heater having a first inlet line and a first outlet line, where the first inlet line provides unheated water to the first tank, and where the first outlet line draws heated water from the first tank. The system can also include a first tankless water heater having a second outlet line, where the second outlet line of the first tankless water heater provides the heated water to a first heated water demand. The system can also include a first valve that controls an amount of the unheated water flowing through the first inlet line to the first tank-based water heater. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the first valve, where the controller controls a position of the first valve based on the first heated water demand and a first capacity of the first tankless water heater.

A low leakage current fluid heater and systems and methods thereof. The fluid heater has a configuration whereby a heating element is isolated from a fluid channel so as to leak into fluid passing through the channel an allowed amount of leakage current. Fluid passing through the fluid heater can be heated to a desired temperature. A controller can provide control signals to driver the fluid heater to the desired temperature and maintain the temperature at the desired temperature.

An environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within an open interior of an agricultural building includes a main controller, and a plurality of zone systems. Each zone system is configured to control environmental conditions within one of a plurality of zones within the open interior, and includes at least one environmental control device, a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature within the zone, and a smart hub configured to control the at least one environmental control device of the corresponding zone based on low and high setpoint temperatures for the zone issued by the main controller and the temperature signal issued by the temperature sensor of the zone. The main controller is configured to prevent activation of an environmental control device in one of the zones by the smart hub based on an operating condition of an environmental control device in another zone.

An environmental control system for controlling environmental conditions within an open interior of an agricultural building includes a main controller, and a plurality of zone systems. Each zone system is configured to control environmental conditions within one of a plurality of zones within the open interior, and includes at least one environmental control device, a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal indicating a temperature within the zone, and a smart hub configured to control the at least one environmental control device of the corresponding zone based on low and high setpoint temperatures for the zone issued by the main controller and the temperature signal issued by the temperature sensor of the zone. The main controller is configured to prevent activation of an environmental control device in one of the zones by the smart hub based on an operating condition of an environmental control device in another zone.

A water heating system can include a first tank-based water heater having a first inlet line and a first outlet line, where the first inlet line provides unheated water to the first tank, and where the first outlet line draws heated water from the first tank. The system can also include a first tankless water heater having a second outlet line, where the second outlet line of the first tankless water heater provides the heated water to a first heated water demand. The system can also include a first valve that controls an amount of the unheated water flowing through the first inlet line to the first tank-based water heater. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the first valve, where the controller controls a position of the first valve based on the first heated water demand and a first capacity of the first tankless water heater.

A relay device and a hot water supply device are provided. A communication adapter downloads an update program for software update of the constituent devices of a hot water supply system from a management center via a communication network (the Internet). The downloaded update program is stored in a storage part in the communication adapter. When there is more than one software update target device, the communication adapter sequentially selects one of the target devices and sequentially transmits the update program stored in the storage part to the devices one by one via a communication line.