A method of operating a water heater, the method including determining a predicted variation of a hot water consumption rate variable over a future time period and calculating a total required operating time of the water heater over that time period. The method further includes determining multiple possible operating profiles of the water heater that provide the total required operating time, and calculating a minimum hot water reserve for each profile. One of the profiles is selected based at least partially on that profile providing a minimum hot water reserve that is not less than a predetermined desired reserve capacity and the water heater is operated over the time period using that profile. The selected profile may be the profile that is calculated to have the lowest operational cost.

A method of operating a water heater, the method including determining a predicted variation of a hot water consumption rate variable over a future time period and calculating a total required operating time of the water heater over that time period. The method further includes determining multiple possible operating profiles of the water heater that provide the total required operating time, and calculating a minimum hot water reserve for each profile. One of the profiles is selected based at least partially on that profile providing a minimum hot water reserve that is not less than a predetermined desired reserve capacity and the water heater is operated over the time period using that profile. The selected profile may be the profile that is calculated to have the lowest operational cost.

A sheet feed apparatus includes a sheet feed cassette, an air blowing device, and an air blowing control portion. The air blowing device blows warm air to a sheet stack in the sheet feed cassette. The air blowing control portion controls the air blowing device to adjust an air volume and a temperature of the warm air. The air blowing control portion adjusts the air volume and the temperature of the warm air in accordance with the amount of sheets in the sheet feed cassette.

A sheet feed apparatus includes a sheet feed cassette, an air blowing device, and an air blowing control portion. The air blowing device blows warm air to a sheet stack in the sheet feed cassette. The air blowing control portion controls the air blowing device to adjust an air volume and a temperature of the warm air. The air blowing control portion adjusts the air volume and the temperature of the warm air in accordance with the amount of sheets in the sheet feed cassette.

A water heating assembly, related kit, use and method make use of a temperature control near a point of use of water, so as to reduce a time response for hot water at this point of use are provided. The water heating assembly includes a tank for containing water, an inlet temperature sensor for sensing an inlet temperature of the water upstream of the tank, and a valve located upstream of the tank. The valve is actuated when the sensed inlet temperature reaches a given temperature set-point such that the water is bypassed from the tank and directly sent to the point of use. The water heating assembly is configured such that the point of use can be fed with water at the desired temperature in a reduced time, the water coming directly from the hot water source and/or the water heating assembly, thereby saving water, energy and time.

An apparatus includes a high-pressure tank, a controller, a valve, controlled by the controller, and a heater.

A water heater includes an inner water tube coil and an outer water tube coil separated by a drum baffle. The inner and outer coils extend above a top edge of the drum baffle by at least a full turn of each coil. A flue gas bypass path is defined between a top edge of the drum baffle and a top insulation layer above the inner and outer coils. Flue gases flow radially though the inner coil, up along the drum baffle, through the flue gas bypass path, and downwardly over the outer coil to heat water flowing through the inner and outer coils. The water flows into the outer coil at the bottom of the coil, winds upwardly through the outer coil in countercurrent flow with respect to the flue gases, then down through the inner coil.

A method of operating a gas heater for water including the steps of restricting a water flow to the gas heater; determining a first rate of a first gas heating for the restricted water flow; adjusting the gas heating to the restricted water flow; repeating the previous steps until a heated water has a temperature above a temperature threshold; removing the restriction to the water flow to increase the water flow; and determining a second rate of a second gas heating for the increased water flow.

A fluid discharge event detection apparatus measures a change in capacitance to detect the presence of a fluid in a sensing conduit where the presence of fluid indicates a discharge event. The apparatus includes a first conduit, the sensing conduit and a control valve, coupled between the first conduit and the sensing conduit. The control valve is configured to activate and fluidly couple the first conduit and the sensing conduit to one another when the control valve detects at least one predetermined condition of a fluid within the first conduit. A sensor, configured to measure a capacitance value, is disposed about the sensing conduit. A controller, coupled to the sensor, is configured to detect a change in the sensing conduit capacitance value and assert an alarm condition upon detection of the change in the sensing conduit capacitance value.

A water heating apparatus includes a sensor to detect an inflow water amount flowing into the water heating apparatus, and a controller to determine connection or disconnection between the water heating apparatus and a water storage tank, based on the inflow water amount flowing into the water heating apparatus for a preset time duration. Thus, the water heating apparatus determines whether or not the water storage tank is connected thereto based on the amount of inflow water introduced into the water heating apparatus. Then, the water heating apparatus determines the operation mode of the water heating apparatus based on the determination result. Thus, even when the user incorrectly sets the operation mode of the water heating apparatus, the water heating apparatus may actively and correctly operate.