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 hot water supply device includes a heater, a water channel, a mixing valve unit, and a circulation mechanism. The mixing valve unit has a valve member and a drive unit configured to drive the valve member to change a mixing ratio of supply water heated by the heater and unheated water. The circulation mechanism has: a connection passage that connects the water channel to the heater by being branched from a part of the water channel between the mixing valve unit and the heater; an on-off valve that opens and closes the connection passage; and a pump configured to return the supply water remaining in the water channel through the connection passage to the heater. A drive amount acquisition unit acquires a drive amount of the drive unit, and a controller controls the circulation mechanism based on the drive amount acquired by the drive amount acquisition unit.

A method of heating water in a water storage tank. The method includes: selecting an outlet port and an inlet port from at least three ports located in the tank at different heights along a vertical direction. The outlet port is below the inlet port. The method further includes extracting water from the outlet port, supplying the extracted water to an external heat exchanger configured for heating the extracted water, and delivering heated water from the heat exchanger to the selected inlet port.

A furnace a smart furnace monitoring system, comprising: a) a wireless communication module; and b) a control module in communication with the wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communication module is capable of sending one or more status information messages to one or more recipients via a network.

An instant hot water delivery system includes a thermal storage bin that receives hot water from a water heater via a hot water supply conduit and stores the hot water therein. The thermal storage bin is disposed adjacent a point of demand to deliver the hot water instantly to the point of demand responsive to a demand. The thermal storage bin is configured to retain a thermal energy of the hot water for a prolonged period using a phase change material. When the hot water stored in the thermal storage bin cools down below a threshold temperature, the cooled down hot water is recirculated to the water heater via a cold water supply conduit using a crossover valve. The recirculation is based on thermosiphon. Fresh hot water from the water heater replaces the cooled down hot water that is displaced from the thermal storage bin.

A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate, establishing a network connection between the mobile device and a server, transmitting information captured from the scannable feature by the mobile device to the server over the network connection, receiving from the server to the mobile device a plurality of water heater configurations in response to the information, receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection selected from the plurality of water heater configurations, and transmitting configuration information from the mobile device to the water heater to configure the water heater based on the configuration selection.

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.

Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater (10). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

A hot water supply device includes a heater, a water channel, a mixing valve unit, and a circulation mechanism. The mixing valve unit has a valve member and a drive unit configured to drive the valve member to change a mixing ratio of supply water heated by the heater and unheated water. The circulation mechanism has: a connection passage that connects the water channel to the heater by being branched from a part of the water channel between the mixing valve unit and the heater; an on-off valve that opens and closes the connection passage; and a pump configured to return the supply water remaining in the water channel through the connection passage to the heater. A drive amount acquisition unit acquires a drive amount of the drive unit, and a controller controls the circulation mechanism based on the drive amount acquired by the drive amount acquisition unit.

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.