Abstract: A method and system for operating a water heater appliance are provided. The method and system include initiating a vacation mode of the water heater appliance. An operating temperature of the water heater appliance is reduced from a normal operating temperature to a vacation operating temperature in the vacation mode of the water heater appliance. The method and system also include sanitizing the water heater appliance by raising the operating temperature of the water heater appliance from the vacation operating temperature to a sanitization operating temperature.

Abstract: A water heater appliance and method for operating a water heater appliance are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of water within the water heater appliance, operating a heating element of the water heater appliance if the temperature of water within the water heater appliance is less than a threshold temperature and deactivating the heating element of the water heater appliance when the temperature of water within the water heater appliance exceeds the threshold temperature.

Abstract: A household energy management system for managing multiple appliances is provided. In an embodiment the system comprises a controller for managing power consumption of multiple appliances within a household; a utility meter for measuring an amount of energy usage to a household, the utility meter communicating to the controller a demand limit; and a user interface through which a user can enter a parameter of energy usage. The controller establishes a demand limit. A communication network connects the controller to the utility meter and/or to a demand server. The controller controls or operates the multiple appliances based cm communications from at least one of the utility meter, the user interface, and a demand server, such that the energy usage does not exceed the established demand limit.

Abstract: A water heater and thermal mixing valve assembly and method for providing a reduced discharge water temperature and a hot water temperature from the same tank. The assembly includes a tank adapted to accept and store an amount of cold water, a heater to heat the cold water held in the tank and increase the cold water temperature to a predetermined hot water temperature, at least one thermal mixing valve integrated with the tank in communication with a hot water passage and a cold water bypass conduit to provide a discharge water of a controlled temperature, the cold water bypass conduit being mounted to the cold water passage allowing the associated cold water to communicate with the tank and the thermal mixing valve.

Abstract: A device and method for enabling an home energy management (HEM) system to work with a home power generator to run the home in a “survival mode” when the home has lost power from the main utility feed. The HEM controls the operation of the main appliances/loads to enable the homeowner to have basic functionality (hot water, lights, heat, cooking & preserving food) of their home, all while ensuring the max draw on the home does not exceed the output rating of the generator thereby allowing the use of a smaller generator while still providing functionality similar to larger generators resulting in energy and cost savings to the consumer.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater for supplying hot water includes a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet, a selectively activatable burner for applying heat to a volume of water between the inlet and the outlet, a sensor for sensing activation of the at least one burner, and a communication interface for communicating data corresponding to the activation of the at least one burner to a processor configured to multiply the amount of time the burner is activated by a known value corresponding to a flow rate of the burner to estimate an amount of fuel consumed by the hydrocarbon-fueled hot water heater. Other devices and methods of submetering hydrocarbon fueled water heaters are also included.

Abstract: A duct adapter system directs air flow relative to a hybrid water heater. The duct adapter system includes a collar adapted to surround a vent of a hybrid water shroud. The collar couples to standard duct pipe to extend ductwork to a heat pump portion of the hybrid water heater. A boost fan may be included in the system for boosting air flow to or from a remote location. The duct adapter system is adapted to deliver a warm air supply to the heat pump from the remote location, or deliver the cool discharge air from the heat pump water heater to a remote location.

Abstract: A water heater appliance and method for operating a water heater appliance are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of water within the water heater appliance, operating a heating element of the water heater appliance if the temperature of water within the water heater appliance is less than a threshold temperature and deactivating the heating element of the water heater appliance when the temperature of water within the water heater appliance exceeds the threshold temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for monitoring water leaks within a home. A home network with various devices monitors these devices with a controller. Information is received from a water flow meter via a transceiver for tracking a total water flow amount through pipelines in the home. By comparing information collected to a predetermined threshold, a leak is determined as present or not within each pipeline. Upon the detection of a leak in the home, a home owner is notified of the condition so that action is taken expeditiously. A shut off valve can be triggered remotely when a request is received from the user, which closes the water pipeline to prevent water damage.

Abstract: Energy efficiencies are achieved in a dryer or washer/dryer by selectively varying temperature ranges, time periods, heater power levels, and air flow rates. Efficiency improvements on the order of 16% were obtained over typical constant power, constant temperature, timed drying cycles by varying one or more of these parameters. Efficiencies can also be improved by drawing air from alternative warm sources such as an attic or warm external environment, or by heat recovery from dryer exhaust passages.

Abstract: Temperature adjustment systems and methods for adjusting thermostat temperature settings are provided. A system includes an oven appliance sensor in communication with an oven appliance, the oven appliance sensor operable to sense an operation of the oven appliance. The system further includes a thermostat in communication with the oven appliance sensor, the thermostat operable to adjust a temperature setting based on the sensed operation of the oven appliance. A method includes sensing an operation of an oven appliance, communicating the operation of the oven appliance to the thermostat, and adjusting the thermostat temperature setting based on the sensed operation of the oven appliance.

Abstract: A system and method for maximizing the value of power generated by a residential power generator. A home energy manager device is configured to implement a minimum energy usage profile during a peak demand event such that a maximum amount of power generated by the consumer can be sold back to the utility. For renewable energy sources such as solar cells, peak demand events often correspond with peak output of the renewable energy source. For example, hot sunny summer days are conducive to maximum solar power output and, typically, also result in maximum power demand for powering air conditioners.

Abstract: A hot water heater includes a tank for storing water, one or more heating elements for selectively applying heat to the water in the tank, and a controller for controlling the heating elements, operative to automatically self-program control of the hot water heater to reduce energy consumption of the hot water heater based on usage data. The controller is operative to execute a learning algorithm that tracks usage data of the hot water heater based on one or more parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a water heater appliance are provided. The method and system include initiating a vacation mode of the water heater appliance. An operating temperature of the water heater appliance is reduced from a normal operating temperature to a vacation operating temperature in the vacation mode of the water heater appliance. The method and system also include sanitizing the water heater appliance by raising the operating temperature of the water heater appliance from the vacation operating temperature to a sanitization operating temperature.

Abstract: A system and method of communicating between a master and a slave device for managing home energy are provided. A transmitter is operatively associated with one of a meter and a home energy manager for emitting a carrier signal at a selected frequency. A tone is superimposed on the selected carrier frequency and represents an operational energy cost level output from an associated utility. A receiver receives the emitted carrier signal with superimposed tone. A microcontroller associated with the home appliance then controls the home appliance in response to the emitted carrier signal with superimposed tone. Multiple distinct frequencies correlate to specific rates, and decoding or detecting the presence of one or more tones can be used to represent a binary number that allows the meter/controller to communicate “intelligence” with the home appliance.

Abstract: A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The storage system has a heat exchanger connected to the tank for using energy stored during off peak times as in water heated above normal storage temperature. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables water to be heated in a heat storing mode to heat water for usage. A method for controlling a water heating storage system includes providing an insulated tank for containing water to be heated; providing a heat exchanger coupled to the tank; and selectively operating in a heat storing mode in which water in the tank is heated to a higher than normal temperature and a heat exchange mode during which heat is extracted from the water stored in the tank by a heat exchanger for supplying stored energy to another energy consuming load in response to a demand response signal.

Abstract: A hot water heater includes a controller, a hot water tank and a sensor operatively coupled to the hot water tank and the controller. The sensor is configured to detect use of hot water from the hot water tank. The controller is operative to determine an interval of non-use of hot water from the hot water tank; and enable a drain cycle to withdraw a portion of water from the hot water tank.

Abstract: A household appliance system comprising an appliance control system having a common appliance interface provided on an appliance and a demand side management module connected to the common appliance interface. The module corresponds to one select utility of a plurality of utilities and is configured to communicate with the one select utility of the plurality of utilities. The appliance control system operates the appliance based on communications with the one select utility through the module.

Abstract: A household energy management system for managing multiple appliances is provided. In an embodiment the system comprises a controller for managing power consumption of multiple appliances within a household; a utility meter for measuring an amount of energy usage to a household, the utility meter communicating to the controller a demand limit; and a user interface through which a user can enter a parameter of energy usage. The controller establishes a demand limit, A communication network connects the controller to the utility meter and/or to a demand server. The controller controls or operates the multiple appliances based cm communications from at least one of the utility meter, the user interface, and a demand server, such that the energy usage does not exceed the established demand limit.

Abstract: A hot water heater includes a tank for storing water, one or more heating elements for selectively applying heat to the water in the tank, and a controller for controlling the heating elements, operative to automatically self-program control of the hot water heater to reduce energy consumption of the hot water heater based on usage data. The controller is operative to execute a learning algorithm that tracks usage data of the hot water heater based on one or more parameters.