Abstract: A hot water heater having upper and lower electric heating elements and associated thermostatic switch controls in their electric circuits is provided with an energy saving control circuit for maintaining the lower heating element deenergized at all times except when it is needed to assist the upper heating element to heat the entire contents of the hot water heater tank. The energy saving control circuit includes an energy saving switch in the electric circuit of the lower heating element. A full tank relay switch is connected in parallel with the energy saving switch and the relay coil is connected to a transformer secondary winding through a holding circuit provided by a holding relay switch the coil of which is connected to the transformer secondary through a momentary make switch. The holding relay switch serves to maintain the holding relay coil connected to the transformer secondary after the momentary make switch is opened.

Abstract: A hot water system in which a damped, gravity operated, check valve is interposed between the hot water heater and the hot water delivery pipe network. The valve opens when a tap is opened allowing hot water to pass into the pipes and to the tap. The valve is prevented from closing abruptly when the tap is closed by a close fitting cylinder which surrounds the valve piston and restricts fluid flow necessary for valve closure.