Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting activity include a first domestic appliance and a second domestic appliance. Such methods may include detecting a first interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing an activity counter by a first amount based on the first interaction. The methods also include detecting a second interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing the activity counter by a second amount based on the second interaction. The methods further include providing a user notification when the activity counter crosses a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank extending along a vertical direction between a top end wall and a bottom end wall and a dip tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inlet end of the dip tube is coupled to a cold water inlet in the top end wall of the tank. The outlet end of the dip tube may be positioned in a bottom corner of the tank and/or positioned at an outer perimeter of the bottom end wall.

Abstract: A method for controlling a water heater appliance includes energizing the heating element for an energization period, such as less than two seconds. During the energization period, the appliance controller measures the electrical current passing through the heating element. The measured electrical current and a base signal are passed through a correlation filter to determine a correlation value. The base signal may correspond to the electrical current passing through the heating element when the tank is full or when the tank is empty, and the correlation value may be used to determine to which base signal the measured electrical current more closely correlates. In this manner, the correlation value is used to determine whether the heating element is submerged in water.

Abstract: An electric water heater appliance is provided herein. The electric water heater appliance may include a tank, an electric heating element, and a temperature sensor. The tank may define an interior volume extending from a top portion to a bottom portion. The interior volume may define a volume height along a vertical direction between the bottom portion and the top portion. The electric heating element may be operable to heat water within the interior volume. The temperature sensor may be attached to the tank above the electric heating element. A sensor gap may be defined along the vertical direction between the electric heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: An air conditioner unit and methods of operating the same is provided. The air conditioner unit may include a refrigeration loop having a variable speed compressor, an electronic expansion valve, an indoor heat exchanger, and an outdoor heat exchanger. An indoor fan and an outdoor fan may be configured to urge air through the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, respectively. A bulkhead may be disposed between the indoor heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger to define an indoor portion and an outdoor portion of the unit. A vent aperture may be defined in the bulkhead, and the indoor and outdoor fans may be configured to urge make-up air from the outdoor portion through the vent aperture to the indoor portion. In addition, an auxiliary fan may be disposed within the vent aperture to provide additional “boost” make-up air, and a heating bank may be used to heat make-up air if desired.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides chiller apparatus including a storage tank for storing the liquid and a refrigerant cooling system. The refrigerant cooling system includes a compressor attached to the storage tank, a condenser positioned downstream from the compressor to condense a refrigerant received therefrom, and at least one evaporator positioned downstream of the condenser and wrapped about the outer surface of the storage tank. The evaporator includes a negative pitch coil configured to direct refrigerant flow from a position near a top of the storage tank to a position near a bottom of the storage tank.

Abstract: Water heater appliances and methods for operating water heater appliances are provided. A water heater appliance includes a tank defining an interior volume, and a sealed system for heating water within the interior volume. The sealed system includes a compressor operable to compress refrigerant, a first condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor, and a second condenser downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor. The first and second condensers are each operable to heat water within the interior volume using energy from the refrigerant. The sealed system additionally includes a valve in fluid communication with the first and second condensers and configured to vary a ratio of refrigerant flow through the first and second condensers.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes establishing a standby recovery temperature for the heat pump water heater appliance based at least in part on a set temperature of the heat pump water heater appliance and activating a sealed system of the heat pump water heater appliance if a temperature measurement from a tank temperature sensor is less than the standby recovery temperature. An ambient temperature may also be used to establish the standby recovery temperature for the heat pump water heater appliance. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a sealed system and an electric heating element. The sealed system and electric heating element are configured for heating water within an interior volume of a tank. A temperature sensor is mounted to the tank. The electric heating element is positioned below the temperature sensor within the interior volume of the tank.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes establishing a temperature drop of water within a tank of the water heater appliance during a time interval. A volume of heated water within the tank is estimated based at least in part on the temperature drop of water within the tank of the water heater appliance during the time interval and a set temperature of the water heater appliance. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A method for defrosting an evaporator of a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes initiating a defrost cycle of the water heater appliance, deactivating a compressor of the water heater appliance during the defrost cycle of the water heater appliance, and operating a fan of the water heater appliance during the defrost cycle of the water heater appliance. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A system for protecting an electrical junction having a first pin and a second pin is provided. The system includes a first circuit protection device coupled to the first pin and configured to sense at least a first current and a second circuit protection device coupled to the second pin and configured to sense at least a second current. Each of the first circuit protection device and the second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt current flowing through a respective circuit protection device and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip unit is configured to activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that a respective current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A water heater appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The method includes receiving a first temperature measurement from a temperature sensor of the water heater appliance, receiving a second temperature measurement from the temperature sensor of the water heater appliance, and establishing if water is flowing through a conduit of the water heater appliance based at least in part on the first and second temperature measurements.

Abstract: A system for protecting an electrical junction having a first pin and a second pin is provided. The system includes a first circuit protection device coupled to the first pin and configured to sense at least a first current and a second circuit protection device coupled to the second pin and configured to sense at least a second current. Each of the first circuit protection device and the second circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism configured to interrupt current flowing through a respective circuit protection device and a trip unit operatively coupled to the trip mechanism. The trip unit is configured to activate the trip mechanism based on a determination that a respective current exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control are disclosed. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for low voltage detection for a heat pump water heater are disclosed. A current sensor can be used to monitor current supplied to a inductive load, such as a compressor or evaporator fan, of the heat pump water heater. The current sensor can be coupled to a controller which receives and processes information from the current sensor to determine whether a low voltage condition of the heat pump water heater has occurred. An alert can be provided to an installer/user of the heat pump water heater that a low voltage condition has occurred. The controller can also disconnect the heat pump water heater from the power source to prevent damage to the heat pump water heater.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.