Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) includes a vent aperture defined in a bulkhead of the PTAC and a fan assembly for urging a flow of make-up air through the vent aperture. The fan assembly includes a fan duct fluidly coupled to the bulkhead over the vent aperture, the fan duct defining an inlet that extends away from the bulkhead toward a rear of the PTAC. An auxiliary fan is mounted to the fan duct for urging the flow of make-up air through the vent aperture, the auxiliary fan including a plurality of fan blades and a stabilizer ring extending about the circumferential direction between the plurality of fan blades.

Abstract: A drain pump assembly for discharging condensate from a water heater appliance is provided. The drain pump assembly includes a condensate collection tray positioned below an evaporator of the water heater appliance for collecting condensate. A condensate level sensor is configured for measuring a level of condensate within the condensate collection tray and is in operative communication with a drain pump. The drain pump is configured for discharging collected condensate from the condensate collection tray when the level of condensate exceeds a first threshold and turning off after the condensate level drops below a second threshold.

Abstract: Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump. The appliance further includes a filter, the filter including a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker.

Abstract: A sealed heat exchange system and air conditioner are provided herein. The sealed heat exchange system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger, a line filter, a variable electronic expansion device, a primary fluid path, and an alternate fluid path. The compressor may generally increase a pressure of a flowed refrigerant within the sealed heat exchange system. The heat exchanger may be in fluid communication with the compressor and the line filter may be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. The primary fluid path may define a fluid inlet to receive the flowed refrigerant downstream of the heat exchanger and upstream of the expansion device. The alternate fluid path may define a fluid inlet to receive the flowed refrigerant downstream of the variable electronic expansion device and upstream of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes an electronic mixing valve configured for adjusting a ratio of cold water from a cold water inlet conduit to hot water from a hot water outlet conduit at a mixed water outlet of the electronic mixing valve. A flow meter is mounted to the mixed water outlet conduit or the cold water inlet conduit. A controller is configured to calculate a flow rate of hot water through the hot water outlet conduit based on a temperature measurement from each of a mixed water temperature sensor, a cold water temperature sensor and a hot water temperature sensor and a flow rate measurement from the flow meter.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes an electronic mixing valve configured for adjusting a ratio of cold water from a cold water inlet conduit to hot water from a hot water outlet conduit at a mixed water outlet of the electronic mixing valve. A cold water bypass conduit extends between the cold water inlet conduit and the mixed water outlet conduit. A cold water bypass valve is on the cold water bypass conduit. A controller is configured to close the cold water bypass valve when a temperature measurement from a mixed water temperature sensor is less than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes an electronic mixing valve configured for adjusting a ratio of cold water from a cold water inlet conduit to hot water from a hot water outlet conduit at a mixed water outlet of the electronic mixing valve. A cold water bypass conduit extends between the cold water inlet conduit and the mixed water outlet conduit. A cold water bypass valve is on the cold water bypass conduit. A controller is configured to close the cold water bypass valve when a temperature measurement from a mixed water temperature sensor is less than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor module for a packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) is provided. Condensate is pumped from a drain pan of the PTAC into a housing of the corrosion inhibitor module. The housing contains a corrosion inhibitor concentrate that is mixes with the condensate to form an inhibitor solution that is returned to the drain pan to prevent the corrosion of components that come in contact with the condensate.

Abstract: A corrosion inhibitor module for a packaged terminal air conditioner unit (PTAC) is provided. Condensate is pumped from a drain pan of the PTAC into a housing of the corrosion inhibitor module. The housing contains a corrosion inhibitor concentrate that is mixes with the condensate to form an inhibitor solution that is returned to the drain pan to prevent the corrosion of components that come in contact with the condensate.

Abstract: A system and related methods for detecting precursors prior to the formation of odor-causing compounds in a water heater appliance. A sulfate probe including a sulfate-selective electrode is in operative communication with a voltage sensor sensing open circuit potential between the water heater tank and the sulfate sensor probe. A method of alerting a consumer includes monitoring open circuit potential between a water heater tank and a sulfate sensor probe, evaluating the open circuit potential to determine a concentration of an odor precursor, and issuing an alert when the odor precursor concentration reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and a method for servicing the heat pump water heater are provided. The heat pump water heater includes an evaporator, a condensate collection tray, and a condensate pump for discharging collected condensate. Notably, the operating time of the condensate pump correlates to the amount of wet operation of heat pump water heater, and increased wet operation may correlate to corrosion and wear on the heat pump water heater. Therefore, an exemplary method contemplates determining an operating time of the condensate pump and, based on the operating time, determining and communicating a recommended service schedule. In addition, an operating parameter of the heat pump water heater may be adjusted, such as switching to electric heating when the operating time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and a method for controlling a relative humidity in an environment including the heat pump water heater are provided. The heat pump water heater includes an evaporator, a condensate collection tray, and a condensate pump for discharging collected condensate. Notably, the amount of condensate collected correlates to the humidity level in the environment. Therefore, an exemplary method contemplates determining an average operating value of the condensate pump, the average operating value being a function of the pump operating time and the condensate pump rate. Based on the temperature of the environment and the average operating value, the relative humidity may be determined and the operation of the heat pump water heater may be adjusted to regulate the relative humidity.

Abstract: A drain pump assembly for discharging condensate from a water heater appliance is provided. The drain pump assembly includes a condensate collection tray positioned below an evaporator of the water heater appliance for collecting condensate. A condensate level sensor is configured for measuring a level of condensate within the condensate collection tray and is in operative communication with a drain pump. The drain pump is configured for discharging collected condensate from the condensate collection tray when the level of condensate exceeds a first threshold and turning off after the condensate level drops below a second threshold.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank and a heated water conduit that extends from the tank. A mixing valve is coupled to the heated water conduit, and a mixed water conduit extends from the mixing valve. A thermal mass is positioned on the mixed water conduit, and a thermal safety sensor is positioned at the thermal mass.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank and a heated water conduit extending from the tank. A mixing valve is coupled to the heated water conduit, and a heat trap is mounted to the heated water conduit upstream of the mixing valve. The heat trap includes a membrane disposed within the heated water conduit. The membrane of the heat trap may assist with obstructing recirculation of heated water from the tank into the heated water conduit.

Abstract: A system and related methods for detecting precursors prior to the formation of odor-causing compounds in a water heater appliance. A sulfate probe including a sulfate-selective electrode is in operative communication with a voltage sensor sensing open circuit potential between the water heater tank and the sulfate sensor probe. A method of alerting a consumer includes monitoring open circuit potential between a water heater tank and a sulfate sensor probe, evaluating the open circuit potential to determine a concentration of an odor precursor, and issuing an alert when the odor precursor concentration reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A split system water heater includes a storage tank and a separate power module for heating water outside of the tank. A distribution tube provides high volume, low velocity flow of water between the tank and the power module to avoid or limit mixing and maintain thermal stratification within the tank. The distribution tube includes a longitudinal axis and a plurality of openings generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A water heater tank has several components formed of a one-piece seamless construction. The water heater tank includes a cylindrical wall with inner and outer surfaces. A helical condenser channel may be formed in the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. The water heater includes a cold water inlet. A cold water channel may be formed in the inner surface of the cylindrical wall in fluid communication with the cold water inlet and the interior volume of the tank.

Abstract: A water heater appliance defining a vertical direction and a horizontal direction is provided. The water heater appliance includes a side that extends along the vertical direction between a top and a bottom of the water heater appliance. The water heater appliance includes a heated water conduit and a cold water conduit extending from the side substantially along the horizontal direction. A mixing valve has a heated water inlet that shares a common axis with the heated water conduit. A bypass conduit extends substantially along the vertical direction between the cold water conduit and a cold water inlet to the mixing valve. In this manner, the mixing valve may be quickly and easily interchangeable within the water heater appliance without requiring the rerouting or manipulation of the existing plumbing.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a temperature, Ttank, of water within a tank of the water heater appliance, a temperature, Tcold, of water at an inlet conduit of the water heater appliance and an actual position, VMPactual, of a mixing valve of the water heater appliance. The method also includes calculating a theoretical position, VMPtheoretical, of the mixing valve of the water heater appliance and establishing a lower flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance and an upper flow rate limit for water exiting the water heater appliance.