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 hot water supply apparatus has: a thermo-sensitive valve which is connected in parallel to a cold water delivery pipe and a hot water delivery pipe and which is closed when the hot water temperature to flow inside the valve is above a predetermined temperature to thereby shut off communication between the cold water delivery pipe and the hot water delivery pipe; and a circulation pump. By operation of the circulation pump, water circulation takes place from a heat exchanger through the hot water delivery pipe, a return pipe, the circulation pump, and a cold water supply pipe back to the heat exchanger. When the thermo-sensitive valve is open, water circulation takes place also through the thermo-sensitive valve. Instantaneous hot water supply operation is finished when an amount detected by a flow sensor falls below a predetermined amount during the instantaneous hot water supply operation.

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 water heater appliance and methods for operating the same, as provided herein, may include a casing, a tank, an inlet conduit, an electric heating system, a mixing valve, and a controller. The electric heating system may be in thermal communication with the tank. The mixing valve may be mounted to the casing downstream from the tank. The controller may be operably coupled to the electric heating system and the mixing valve. The controller may be configured to initiate a mixing cycle. The mixing cycle may include detecting a flow demand at the water heater appliance, directing the mixing valve to a programmed park position in response to detecting the flow demand, determining expiration of a park period following directing the mixing valve to the programmed park position, and releasing the mixing valve from the programmed park position in response to determining expiration of the park period.

The water heater may be configured to execute a normal operation in which a heating means is continuously operated in an ON state in a case where a required heat quantity is greater than or equal to a minimum heat quantity. The water heater may be configured to execute an intermittent operation in which the heating means is alternately and repeatedly operated in the ON state and an OFF state repeatedly in a case where the required heat quantity is less than the minimum heat quantity. The water heater may be configured to change a distribution ratio of a flow control mechanism in the normal operation and in the intermittent operation. An operating speed of the flow control mechanism in the intermittent operation may be faster than an operating speed of the flow control mechanism in the normal operation.

A water heater system and method of operating such a system are disclosed herein. In an example embodiment, the water heater system includes a heat exchanger. a heat source inlet by which heated heating fluid can be provided to the heat exchanger, a heat source outlet by which cooled heating fluid can be communicated from the heat exchanger, a water supply inlet by which supply water can be provided to the heat exchanger, and a water supply outlet by which heated water can be communicated from the heat exchanger. Additionally, the system includes a controller, a water supply outlet temperature sensor, a water supply flowmeter, and an actuator. The controller is configured to generate control signals based at least indirectly upon temperature measurements and flow measurements and to provide the control signals to the actuator to regulate a fluid flow of the heated heating fluid into the heat exchanger.

A water heater appliance and methods for operating the same, as provided herein, may include a casing, a tank, an inlet conduit, an electric heating system, a mixing valve, and a controller. The electric heating system may be in thermal communication with the tank. The mixing valve may be mounted to the casing downstream from the tank. The controller may be operably coupled to the electric heating system and the mixing valve. The controller may be configured to initiate a mixing cycle. The mixing cycle may include detecting a flow demand at the water heater appliance, directing the mixing valve to a programmed park position in response to detecting the flow demand, determining expiration of a park period following directing the mixing valve to the programmed park position, and releasing the mixing valve from the programmed park position in response to determining expiration of the park period.

Provided is a hot-water supply device. A process performed by a control device of the hot-water supply device includes: a step of shifting an action mode of the hot-water supply device to an instant hot-water mode; a step of measuring an amount of water X; a step of determining that another tap interruption occurs when the amount of water X is equal to or greater than a basic flow amount Y+α; a step of stopping action of a circulation pump; a step of re-learning the amount of water X when the amount of water X is less than a basic flow amount Y−β; a step of ending the instant hot-water circulation mode when an end condition of the instant hot-water mode is satisfied; and a step of measuring the amount of water X when the end condition of the instant hot-water mode is not satisfied.

A circulation pump assembly for a heating and/or cooling system includes an electric drive motor (108) and a connected pump housing (106) in which at least one impeller (118) is situated and which comprises a first inlet (112) and a first outlet (114). The pump housing (106) includes a second inlet (122) which is connected in an inside of the pump housing (106) at a mixing point (130) to the first inlet (112). A regulating valve (134), which is designed for regulating the mixing ratio of two flows mixing at the mixing point (130), as well as a control device, which controls the regulating valve (134) for regulating the mixing ration, are arranged in the pump housing (106). A hydraulic manifold is provided with such a circulation pump assembly.

Water quality maintenance system are disclosed herein. The systems are configured to automatically switch between an open state allowing for purging of water from a water line and a closed state preventing water flow. The systems comprise a controller is configured to automatically generate a control signal and a purge valve comprising an electromagnetic actuator in electromechanical communication with the controller. Also disclosed herein are fixtures comprising the systems and methods of using the systems.