Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: A blank for a container includes a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a rear panel and a second side panel. The blank includes a plurality of top flaps and a plurality of bottom flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of each of the first side panel, the second side panel, the front panel, and the rear panel. The plurality of bottom flaps includes a tray flap foldably connected to an edge of the front panel opposite the top flap, the tray flap being configured to fold toward and be adhered to a bird feeder tray defined by a line of weakness in the front panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating.

Abstract: An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating.

Abstract: Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a heat pump pool heater, undesirable compressor-created pressure spikes resulting from start-up of the heater after extended idle periods thereof are substantially eliminated by the incorporation in the heat pump refrigerant circuit of a specially designed pressure spike eliminator structure. The spike eliminator structure includes an enclosed hollow wall structure extending around a first refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the heat pump circuit compressor and condenser and forming a cavity around the first refrigerant tubing portion, and a transfer tube directly connected to a second refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the condenser and expansion valve and intercommunicating the interiors of the cavity and the second refrigerant tubing portion.

Abstract: Water heater apparatus includes a tank for storing water; a heat exchanger associated with the tank and being operative to receive refrigerant and transfer heat therefrom to the tank, the heat exchanger representatively being a heat conductive tube externally wrapped around the tank in heat conductive contact therewith; air conditioning apparatus operative to utilize refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant circuit portion of the air conditioning apparatus, the refrigerant circuit portion being in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a control system operative to selectively cause a portion of the flowing refrigerant to pass through the heat exchanger, or cause essentially the entire flow of the refrigerant to bypass the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: An air heating and cooling system includes (1) a heat pump, illustratively devoid of auxiliary electric resistance type air heating structure, operative to provide refrigerant-based heating or cooling of air being delivered to a conditioned space, (2) a fuel-fired modular blower selectively operable to generate combustion heat, and (3) a control system associated with the heat pump and the modular blower. The control system has a heat pump thermostat electrically connected to a modular blower control and operative to transmit to the modular blower a first signal indicative of heating operation of the heat pump, and a second signal indicative of a need for alternative heat during a heating demand cycle. The modular blower is operative, in response to receiving both signals, to provide combustion-based air heating in place of refrigerant-based heat pump air heating.

Abstract: In a heat pump pool heater, undesirable compressor-created pressure spikes resulting from start-up of the heater after extended idle periods thereof are substantially eliminated by the incorporation in the heat pump refrigerant circuit of a specially designed pressure spike eliminator structure. The spike eliminator structure includes an enclosed hollow wall structure extending around a first refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the heat pump circuit compressor and condenser and forming a cavity around the first refrigerant tubing portion, and a transfer tube directly connected to a second refrigerant tubing portion disposed between the condenser and expansion valve and intercommunicating the interiors of the cavity and the second refrigerant tubing portion.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit, representatively an outdoor condensing unit, is provided with a vertically oriented fin/tube coil portion through which a fan inwardly draws ambient air in a generally horizontal direction. The coil has a non-uniform fin arrangement that provides a bottom portion of the coil with an effective fin density lower than that of an upper portion of the coil.