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 system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.

Disclosed are system 100 and method of energy efficient hot and cold water management. The system 100 comprises: a control unit 101 for dynamically controlling the functioning of the system 100; at least a water storage tank 102 with at least one of a water level sensor, at least a heating element 1021, at least a temperature sensor 1022 or any combination thereof; at least an auxiliary water storage tank 103 with at least one of a water level sensor, at least a temperature sensor 1032; at least a water mixer unit 105 having at least a temperature sensor 1051; a user interface unit 1012 for controlling and monitoring different parameters including temperature, water level, opening and closing of valves 108 and 109; and a power supply with power backup unit 104 for providing basic power for proper functioning of the system 100.

The flameless heater system includes an energy source comprising a diesel engine configured to create volumes of air, a hydraulic system to control engine loading for heat generation and for air moving, and a control system, operatively coupled with the energy source and the hydraulic system to control at least one of a speed of the diesel engine, a loading of the diesel engine, or a fan speed.

A flameless heater system is described. The flameless heater system includes an energy source configured to generate energy and a heating system operatively coupled to the energy source, the heating system being configured to convert the energy to heat. The flameless heater system further includes a humidifying system operatively coupled to the energy source, the humidifying system being configured to convert the energy into moisture and a control system operatively coupled to the energy source, the heating system and the humidifying system, the control system being configured to monitor and control the energy source, the heating system and the humidifying system.

A cabinet heater system and devices comprising an air plenum thermostat controller are discussed herein. Embodiments of the present invention include a cabinet heater system comprising a housing, and a thermostat mounted within an air plenum formed within a cavity of the housing, configured to sense air plenum temperature and maintain a set temperature. A mounting unit secure positioning of at least one of a heating unit, an air moving device, and the thermostat. A control compartment, separate from the air plenum cavity can further house controls configured to adjust the thermostat and one or more components of the cabinet heater system and devices.

Provided is a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system comprises: a reformer that reforms fuel; a reformed fuel storage unit that receives the reformed fuel from the reformer and stores same; a fuel cell stack that generates electric power and heat by using the reformed fuel; a boiler unit that provides heating by using heating water, a battery unit that stores the electric power generated in the fuel cell stack; and a control unit that controls the operations of the reformer, the reformed fuel storage unit, the fuel cell stack, the boiler unit, and the battery unit, wherein the control unit controls the reformer to operate using the heating water of the boiler unit when the temperature of the heating water of the boiler unit is higher than a first baseline and the stored amount of the reformed fuel stored in the reformed fuel storage unit is equal to or less than a second baseline.

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 fluid heating apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed herein may include a burner, a heat exchanger, a first flow rate sensor that detects a flow rate of a fluid supplied to the heat exchanger, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of a fluid discharged from the heat exchanger, and a controller that controls a first pump provided in an internal circulation flow path on the basis of the flow rate detected by the first flow rate sensor to manage the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the heat exchanger and controls an operation of the burner on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.