Abstract: A system and a method is described for remotely controlling gas consumption by a power vented gas-fired water heater to reduce consumption of gas by a consumer connected to a gas distribution bank network of a gas provider during overload periods where gas demand is at a peak. The system comprises a consumer controller in communication with the gas provider whereby the controller can operate a modulating gas control valve either directly or through the control of the fan speed of a power vented blower to reduce the supply of gas to the burner of the gas-fired water heater when asked by the provider to do so. Temperature sensors are associated with the water holding tank of the gas-fired water heater to feed water temperature signals to a computer of the controller whereby to enable the controller to execute informed corrective action for the reduction in gas consumption by regulating the gas control valve to reduce the supply of gas to the burner of the water heater.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for preventing bacteria proliferation in a bottom end of a water holding tank of an electric water heater. Different water convection devices are described for convecting heated water from inside the tank and into the bottom end of the tank to raise the temperature at the bottom end sufficiently high to prevent bacteria growth and particularly at a temperature of at least 46 degrees C. where the Legionella bacteria can not survive. The temperature at the bottom end of the tank is monitored and the convection devices controlled to maintain the desired hot water temperature. An added benefit of the invention is that it also prevents sediment deposits and water temperature stratification in the tank bottom end section.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for preventing bacteria proliferation in a bottom end of a water holding tank of an electric water heater. Different water convection devices are described for convecting heated water from inside the tank and into the bottom end of the tank to raise the temperature at the bottom end sufficiently high to prevent bacteria growth and particularly at a temperature of at least 46 degrees C. where the Legionella bacteria can not survive. The temperature at the bottom end of the tank is monitored and the convection devices controlled to maintain the desired hot water temperature. An added benefit of the invention is that it also prevents sediment deposits and water temperature stratification in the tank bottom end section.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for preventing bacteria proliferation in a bottom end of a water holding tank of an electric water heater. Different water convection devices are described for convecting heated water from inside the tank and into the bottom end of the tank to raise the temperature at the bottom end sufficiently high to prevent bacteria growth and particularly at a temperature of at least 46 degrees C. where the Legionella bacteria can not survive. The temperature at the bottom end of the tank is monitored and the convection devices controlled to maintain the desired hot water temperature. An added benefit of the invention is that it also prevents sediment deposits and water temperature stratification in the tank bottom end section.

Abstract: A system and a method for preventing bacteria growth and proliferation, and particularly the Legionella bacteria, in a water tank of an electric water heater is described. A small pump is mounted on the water heater and has a power rating greater than the domestic water supply. The pump is controlled by a controller to pump hot water from the upper region of the tank to the lower region of the tank. The pump is connected between the hot water outlet of the tank and the cold water inlet to which an elongated dip tube is secured and with its discharge end positioned in close proximity to the bottom wall of the tank. The controller has a timer and is programmed to pump the hot water during non-peak hours of the utility for a preset time and for a preset period of time depending on such criteria as water quality, public regulations and laws.

Abstract: A dual energy gas water heater is described and wherein a square flange, curved resistor style resistive heating element, is secured in a bottom portion of the tank of the water heater spaced above a top wall of the combustion chamber. A gas burner is secured in the combustion chamber and connected to a gas supply line through a gas valve. The curved resistive heating element is a low density, long life, element having a density in the range of about 20 to 80 watts/sq. inches. A switch is secured between the thermostat of the resistive heating element and the voltage supply line. A controller selectively operates the switch and the gas valve to disconnect the voltage supply line from the thermostat and/or shut-off the gas valve secured to the gas supply line depending on the desired source of energy. The controller is adapted to be optionally controlled by a utility/provider through a communication link.

Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

Abstract: A dielectrically insulated secondary tubular flue for mounting inside a water holding tank of a gas-fired water heater is provided to increase the efficiency of the water heater. The secondary tubular flue has opposed tubular end sections and an helical tubular section integrally formed therewith. The tubular end sections each have connecting end sections adapted to form a part of a dielectric connector for securing the secondary tubular flue inside of the water holding tank by the dielectric connectors.

Abstract: A water holding tank for electric water heaters is described and particularly an improvement to the bottom end construction of the tank to prevent bacteria proliferation and the elimination of the cavitated circumferential area where sediments deposit to form a culture bed for bacteria to proliferate. Instead of modifying the shape of the bottom wall the improvement is a simple solution in that a filler material is set in at least a lowermost portion, and preferably a major portion, of the cavitated circumferential area to isolate that area from the interior of the water holding tank and form smooth flat surface areas which are planar to cause sediments to disperse and not form beds for bacteria to proliferate.

Abstract: A double glass coated steel tank for a high temperature water heater and its method of fabrication is described. The tank is constructed of steel welded parts and fittings are secured to the tank without the presence of sharp edges being formed on the inner surface of the tank not to form any weakness in the composite glass coating to be applied. A first water resistant base coat of cobalt glass enriched with ZIRCON (trademark) is applied to the inner surface and the tank is heat fired at a high temperature in the order of about 1600 degrees F. A second high temperature water resistant glass coat, having a fine gas bubble size not exceeding 10 microns, is applied over the first coat and the tank is heat fired a second time. The composite glass coating thus formed is highly water and corrosion resistant in a water environment of up to at least 190 degrees F.

Abstract: A double glass coated steel tank for a high temperature water heater and its method of fabrication is described. The tank is constructed of steel welded parts and fittings are secured to the tank without the presence of sharp edges being formed on the inner surface of the tank not to form any weakness in the composite glass coating to be applied. A first water resistant base coat of cobalt glass enriched with ZIRCON (trademark) is applied to the inner surface and the tank is heat fired at a high temperature in the order of about 1600 degrees F. A second high temperature water resistant glass coat, having a fine gas bubble size not exceeding 10 microns, is applied over the first coat and the tank is heat fired a second time. The composite glass coating thus formed is highly water and corrosion resistant in a water environment of up to at least 190 degrees F.

Abstract: An electric water heater is described and wherein the bottom portion of the water holding tank is provided with various forms of electric heating elements to heat the water in the lowermost region of the tank adjacent the dome-shaped bottom wall to a temperature sufficient to prevent the proliferation of bacteria growth such as the Legionella bacteria in such lowermost region. The insulating foam support base of the water heater also provides a thermal barrier to the heating elements while biasing the heating element on the dome-shaped bottom wall in a region to insure excellent heat transfer to the cavitated zone surrounding the dome-shaped bottom wall where sedimentary deposits occur to create a culture medium for bacteria growth. In one embodiment a heating wire transfers heat to the lowermost region from the lower end of the surrounding side wall of the tank and access to the heating wire is provided for connection and removal thereof.

Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.

Abstract: A hot water pulsating alarm system and method for electric or gas-fired water heaters is described. A sensor senses the water temperature in an upper region of the water tank of the water heater and feeds temperature signals to a controller. The controller operates an electromechanical valve connected to the pressurized cold water supply line of the water tank. Upon detecting a low temperature value stored in the memory of the controller, the controller causes a shut-off electro-mechanical valve to close and open in a predetermined sequence and during a predetermined time period. This causes interruptions of hot water being drawn from the upper region of the water tank to feed a hot water supply conduit and creating a pulsating water temperature change in hot water being discharged through fixtures connected to the hot water supply conduit.

Abstract: A hot water pulsating alarm system and method for electric or gas-fired water heaters is described. A sensor senses the water temperature in an upper region of the water tank of the water heater and feeds temperature signals to a controller. The controller operates an electromechanical valve connected to the pressurized cold water supply line of the water tank. Upon detecting a low temperature value stored in the memory of the controller, the controller causes a shut-off electro-mechanical valve to close and open in a predetermined sequence and during a predetermined time period. This causes interruptions of hot water being drawn from the upper region of the water tank to feed a hot water supply conduit and creating a pulsating water temperature change in hot water being discharged through fixtures connected to the hot water supply conduit.

Abstract: A passage is provided in a water heater and mounted against the outer surface of the water tank side wall to removably mount thermistors secured to a support at distinct locations along the tank side wall to provide temperature value signal representative of the water temperature in the tank adjacent the thermistors. The passage may be formed by a metal tube held next to the side wall of the tank or a U-shaped channel held against the outer surface of the tank wall with the through thereof facing the tank side wall outer surface. The thermistors are mounted spaced-apart on a support inserted in the passage. The method is also described.

Abstract: A controlled system and method for operating a lower resistive heating element of an electric water heater is described to kill bacteria in a lower portion of a water holding tank of an electric water heater. A controller having a timer circuit operates the lower resistive heating element bypassing the control of the thermostat associated with the upper and lower resistive heating element to maintain the lower resistive heating element active during a predetermined sanitizing time period whereby the temperature in the lower portion of the tank is maintained at a predetermined temperature sufficient to kill bacteria. The controller is programmed to override a load shedding function during the predetermined sanitizing time operiod.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is described for preventing bacteria proliferation in a bottom end of a water holding tank of an electric water heater. Different water convection devices are described for convecting heated water from inside the tank and into the bottom end of the tank to raise the temperature at the bottom end sufficiently high to prevent bacteria growth and particularly at a temperature of at least 46 degrees C. where the Legionella bacteria can not survive. The temperature at the bottom end of the tank is monitored and the convection devices controlled to maintain the desired hot water temperature. An added benefit of the invention is that it also prevents sediment deposits and water temperature stratification in the tank bottom end section.

Abstract: A high efficiency condensing flue gas-fired water heater is provided with a secondary tubular flue mounted inside the water tank and secured thereto by dielectric connectors to electrically isolate the secondary tubular flue from the tank. The secondary tubular flue has an intermediate helical section and opposed connecting end sections which each form a part of the dielectric connectors. The connectors do not require any welding for its installation to the tank and a compression nut and dielectric insulators provide for a leak proof and electrically isolated connection. The method of securing the secondary tubular flue is also described.

Abstract: An electrical water heater adapted for energy management and a method of controlling the consumption of electrical power from the power supply grid of a utility is described. The bottom resistive heating element of the water heater is a dual element resistive heating element which has a high power rated resistive heating element to heat water and a further low power rated resistive heating element. The power rating of the low power resistive heating element is calculated to be lower than the supply grid diversified mean load. A controller has a communication link with a utility which manages the power supply grid. The utility can control the resistive heating elements of the dual element in such a way, and depending on conditions of the grid, to conserve energy and regulate its frequency thereby resulting in a cost saving to the consumer and the utility. The low power rated resistive heating element is also connectable to an alternative power source.