Provided is a method of signalling energy usage to a user of a hot water outlet of a hot water supply system, the hot water supply system including: a thermal energy store that is supplied with energy from a source of renewable energy; a renewable energy source; an auxiliary water heater coupled to a networked energy supply; a flow transducer operable, when a water flow passes through the hot water outlet, to provide flow rate data for the water flow; and a processor coupled to the flow transducer; the hot water supply system being operable, under the control of the processor, to heat water that is to be supplied to the hot water outlet to a target system supply temperature using a selection of one or more of the auxiliary water heater, the renewable energy source, and energy from the thermal energy store.

An installation includes an in-building hot water supply system, a hot water heat pump, an energy storage arrangement containing a mass of phase change material and a heat exchanger coupled between the hot water system and the heat pump, and a processor to provide a signal to the heat pump based on the opening of an outlet of the hot water supply system. The mass of phase change material has enough latent heat capacity to heat to a predetermined temperature a predetermined quantity of water in the interval from the opening of an outlet of the hot water supply system until at least the heat pump begins to heat water in the hot water supply system. Also provided is a method of controlling a heat pump in such an installation.

The disclosed technology includes an on-demand water heater which uses a heat pump to heat the fluid. The on-demand heat pump water heater can have a low fluid capacity heating chamber which has an inlet and an outlet, a heat pump for heating the fluid, and a controller to control the heat pump and maintain the temperature of the fluid at a predetermined temperature. The on-demand heat pump water heater can include one or more temperature sensors, flow sensors, fluid mixing valves, or supplemental heat sources.

A storage water heater is provided that allows for improved maintenance of hygiene in a lower part of a hot-water storage tank and in a passage connected to the lower part of the hot-water storage tank. A storage water heater includes a heating device, a hot-water storage tank, a first passage, and a controller. The hot-water storage tank stores hot water. The first passage is connected to a lower part of the hot-water storage tank. The controller is configured to selectively switch between a heat-up operation and a recirculation operation. In the heat-up operation, hot water heated by the heating device is delivered to an upper part of the hot-water storage tank. In the recirculation operation, hot water flowing out from the upper part of the hot-water storage tank is delivered to the lower part of the hot-water storage tank via the first passage.

Provided is a method of controlling a supply of heated water from a source including a heating appliance (301) to a plurality of water outlets (302, 303) remote from the heating appliance, the method comprising: detecting a demand for water from a first water outlet (302), identifying the demand as likely to be associated with the first water outlet (302) and setting to a first target water temperature value, associated with the first outlet, a target water temperature for the temperature at which water is supplied; detecting a demand for water from a second water outlet (303), identifying the demand as likely to be associated with the second water outlet, and resetting to a second target water temperature value, associated with the second outlet, the target water temperature at which water is supplied; wherein the demand is associated with an outlet based on a detected flow characteristic. Also provided is a hot-water supply installation having a plurality of controllable outlets, the installation including: a source of hot-water with an outlet having a controllable outflow temperature; a flow measurement device to provide data on water flow between the source and the plurality of controllable outlets; a temperature sensor to detect the outflow temperature; a memory storing parameters linking flow data to outlet identity, and associating each of the plurality of controllable outlets with a respective target temperature; a processor operatively connected to the memory, the flow measurement device, and the first temperature sensor; the processor being configured: in the event that one of the plurality of controllable outlets is opened, to determine based on a detected flow characteristic which of the plurality of controllable outlets has been opened, and then based on that determination to control the outflow temperature of the source, in accordance with stored parameters for the determined one of the controllable outlets; and in the event that another of the plurality of controllable outlets is opened, to determine which another of the plurality of controllable outlets has been opened, and then based on that determination to control the outflow temperature of the source, in accordance with stored parameters for the determined another of the controllable outlets.

Provided is a heating installation including an energy store including a latent heat energy storage medium, and a heat pump having a defrost cycle, the heating installation including a hot water supply system arranged to supply instantaneous heated water and space heating to a building, and a processor to control the installation. The processor being configured to: control the supply of heat from the heat pump to the latent heat energy storage medium to store heat for heating water and to a heating circuit for providing space heating; and estimate a likelihood of a defrost cycle by the heat pump. In anticipation of an impending defrost cycle, the processor further being configured to control operation of the installation to store additional energy by at least one of: heating the latent heat energy storage medium to a higher level than a level set for anticipated water heating demand alone and/or heating the building and/or circulating heating fluid of the installation to a higher level than a level set for desired building heating; to compensate for an absence of heat from the heat pump during the impending defrost cycle.

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 present disclosure provides a computer-implemented method of modulating energy consumption by a water provision system, the water provision system comprising 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 water provision system, the water provision system being configured to provide water heated by the thermal energy storage medium to a water outlet, the method being performed by the control module and comprising: upon determining that the water outlet is turned on, determining an elapse time from an initial time when the method is implemented; setting a temperature for heated water being provided to the water outlet based on the elapse time; and progressively reducing the temperature for heated water being provided to the water outlet as the elapse time increases until a target temperature is reached.

A sanitizing system for sanitizing a water flow at a point of use, the sanitizing system including an ozone demand indicator configured for determining the existence of a demand for ozone in the water flow; an ozone generator configured to be disposed no more than about 72 inches upstream of the point of use on a fluid conductor supplying the water flow at the point of use, wherein ozone generated by the ozone generator is configured to be disposed in the water flow to sanitize the water flow; and a controller operable to control the ozone demand indicator and the ozone generator responsive to the ozone demand indicator, wherein the controller is configured to cause the ozone generator to start generating ozone upon receiving an indication from the ozone demand indicator that the demand for ozone exists.

A method for controlling an operating discharge pressure in a multi-purpose HVAC system including an outdoor unit, and an indoor unit, the HVAC system including a plurality of flow control valves configured to isolate a the indoor unit from the multi-purpose HVAC system, a compressor and a controller, operably coupled to a water heater module, the water heater module including at least one valve, the controller executing a method including operating the multi-purpose HVAC system in a water heating mode, monitoring the operating discharge pressure from the compressor; and generating a signal commanding at least one of the plurality of control valves to isolate the indoor unit from the outdoor unit and water heating module and direct high pressure refrigerant to the indoor unit when the operating discharge pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure value.