Abstract: Described are techniques for corroborating anomalous behavior. The techniques include training devices included in an Internet of Things (IoT) mesh network to independently identify occurrences of anomalous behavior in a proximate physical environment. The techniques further include receiving event data from at least a portion of the devices in the IoT mesh network corresponding to a time window, where the event data reports occurrences of at least one type of anomalous behavior. The techniques further include corroborating the at least one type of anomalous behavior to determine that the occurrences of the at least one type of anomalous behavior indicate an anomalous event that meets a reporting threshold for providing notice of the anomalous event. The techniques further include generating a notification regarding the anomalous event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for venting a water heater are disclosed. The system includes a water heater, a blower, a draft hood, and a thermal switch. The blower has a blower inlet positioned to receive combustion gas from the water heater and a blower outlet positioned to exhaust combustion gas. The draft hood defines a passageway positioned to receive combustion gas from the blower outlet. The draft hood defines a relief opening to allow gas to enter into or exit from the passageway of the draft hood. The thermal switch detects a blockage in the passageway of the draft hood and deactivates the water heater when a blockage is indicated. A method for venting a water heater includes blowing exhaust gas outward through a blower outlet of the water heater, and receiving the exhaust gas blown through the outlet with a draft hood positioned on top of the blower outlet.

Abstract: A system for heating water including a water heater and a solar collector is provided. The water heater includes a water storage tank, a heating element positioned within the bottom end of the water tank and a lower thermostat configured to selectively activate the heating element as a function of the water temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the thermostat. A tank heat exchanger is also positioned within the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The tank heat exchanger is configured to contain a fluid medium for heat exchange with water in the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The solar collector is fluidly coupled to the tank heat exchanger of the water heater for circulating the fluid medium through the tank heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater includes a water storage tank, a flue positioned to receive combustion gases and transfer heat from combustion gases to water in the water storage tank, and a blower assembly. The blower assembly includes a housing defining an inlet positioned to receive combustion gases from the flue, an interior defined by the housing, and an outlet positioned to exhaust combustion gases from the interior of the housing. The blower assembly further includes a motor/impeller assembly that is positioned in the interior of the housing and is configured to direct combustion gases from the inlet of the housing toward the outlet of the housing. The housing of the blower assembly includes an interior wall portion, an exterior wall portion, and sound-absorbing material interposed between the interior and exterior wall portions. The interior wall portion defines perforations extending between the sound-absorbing material and the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A system for heating water including a water heater and a solar collector is provided. The water heater includes a water storage tank, a heating element positioned within the bottom end of the water tank and a lower thermostat configured to selectively activate the heating element as a function of the water temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the thermostat. A tank heat exchanger is also positioned within the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The tank heat exchanger is configured to contain a fluid medium for heat exchange with water in the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The solar collector is fluidly coupled to the tank heat exchanger of the water heater for circulating the fluid medium through the tank heat exchanger.

Abstract: A flue system is provided for a water heater having improved heat exchange efficiency. The flue system includes an upstream heat exchange portion providing a first pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater. The flue system further includes a downstream heat exchange portion providing a second pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater and a blower positioned between the upstream heat exchange portion and the downstream heat exchange portion. The blower is configured to urge combustion products from the upstream heat exchange portion to the downstream heat exchange portion.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater to drain condensate from combustion products is provided. The water heater comprises a water tank, a burner for producing combustion products, a flue extending through an interior of the water tank to receive the combustion products, and an exhaust passageway positioned downstream of the flue and extending outside of the water tank to exhaust the combustion products. The exhaust passageway includes a first portion and a second portion positioned at an elevation above the first portion. A bypass conduit is coupled to the exhaust passageway and positioned to direct condensate in the exhaust passageway from the second portion toward the first portion. A drain port is positioned at or an elevation below the first portion of the exhaust passageway to drain condensate from the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater system including a water storage tank and a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a heat absorber positioned below the water storage tank and a heat rejecter in fluid communication with the heat absorber and positioned within the water storage tank. The heat absorber is configured to transfer heat to fluid in the heat exchange system, and the heat rejecter is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the heat exchange system to the water in the water storage tank.

Abstract: A method of improving hot water supply performance of a water heater is provided. The method includes coupling an outlet port of a water tempering device to the cold water inlet port of a water heater for delivering cold water from the cold water supply line into the water storage tank. The inlet port of the tempering device is coupled to the hot water outlet port of the water heater for receiving hot water from the water storage tank to the hot water supply line. A conduit of the tempering device is positioned between the inlet and outlet ports of the tempering device for diverting a portion of the cold water delivered from the cold water supply line into the conduit. The tempering device mixes the diverted cold water with the hot water received from the water storage tank, and delivers the mixed water into the hot water supply line.

Abstract: A water heater assembly includes a water storage tank configured for containing water; an inlet port positioned on the water storage tank for receiving cold water delivered from a cold water supply line; an outlet port positioned on the water storage tank for distributing hot water from the water storage tank toward a hot water supply line; and a water tempering device releasably coupled to both the inlet port and to the outlet port for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line to the hot water supply line, wherein the water tempering device is configured to selectively mix the cold water with the hot water for delivery of mixed water into the hot water supply line.

Abstract: A system for monitoring water heaters. The system includes a central monitoring station and a plurality of water heater systems. The central monitoring station includes a computer, and each water heater system includes a water heater and one or more sensors for sensing one or more conditions of the water heater. The one or more conditions include one or more fault states, each indicating a reduced ability of the water heater to deliver hot water at a set temperature. The one or more sensors are in communication with the computer of the central monitoring station to provide data indicating the one or more conditions to the computer.

Abstract: An insulation kit for use with a water heater is provided. The kit includes an insulating cover configured to be wrapped about an exterior surface of the water heater. The insulating cover includes a substantially rectangular body with opposed edges configured to overlap or abut one another when the insulating cover is wrapped about the exterior surface of the water heater and at least one downwardly facing flap configured to provide selective access to the water heater. The kit further includes a fastener packaged with the insulating cover and configured for fixing the opposed edges together, thereby securing the insulating cover adjacent the exterior surface of the water heater.

Abstract: A system for heating water including a water heater and a solar collector is provided. The water heater includes a water storage tank, a heating element positioned within the bottom end of the water tank and a lower thermostat configured to selectively activate the heating element as a function of the water temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of the thermostat. A tank heat exchanger is also positioned within the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The tank heat exchanger is configured to contain a fluid medium for heat exchange with water in the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The solar collector is fluidly coupled to the tank heat exchanger of the water heater for circulating the fluid medium through the tank heat exchanger.

Abstract: A water heater is disclosed. The water heater includes a water storage tank and a heat source positioned to heat water within the water storage tank. A heat exchanger is positioned within the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. The heat exchanger is configured to contain a fluid medium for heat exchange with water in the bottom end portion of the water storage tank. A temperature sensor is positioned at an elevation above the heat exchanger for sensing a temperature of water within the tank. A control system is configured to selectively activate the heat source as a function of the water temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The heat source can be either a heating element positioned within the water storage tank, or a burner positioned to deliver products of combustion into a flue positioned within the tank for heating water within the water storage tank.

Abstract: A flue system is provided for a water heater having improved heat exchange efficiency. The flue system includes an upstream heat exchange portion providing a first pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater. The flue system further includes a downstream heat exchange portion providing a second pass for heat exchange with water in the water heater and a blower positioned between the upstream heat exchange portion and the downstream heat exchange portion. The blower is configured to urge combustion products from the upstream heat exchange portion to the downstream heat exchange portion.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater to drain condensate from combustion products is provided. The water heater comprises a water tank, a burner for producing combustion products, a flue extending through an interior of the water tank to receive the combustion products, and an exhaust passageway positioned downstream of the flue and extending outside of the water tank to exhaust the combustion products. The exhaust passageway includes a first portion and a second portion positioned at an elevation above the first portion. A bypass conduit is coupled to the exhaust passageway and positioned to direct condensate in the exhaust passageway from the second portion toward the first portion. A drain port is positioned at or an elevation below the first portion of the exhaust passageway to drain condensate from the exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A kit, device and method for improving the hot water supply performance of a water heater are provided. The device comprises a fitting, a conduit, and a mixing device. The fitting includes an inlet port configured for coupling with a cold water supply line, an outlet port configured for releasably coupling with a cold water inlet port of the water heater, and a bypass port configured for diverting a portion of the cold water from the cold water supply line. The conduit includes an inlet port configured for coupling with the bypass port of the fitting and an outlet port. The mixing device includes a mixing port for coupling with the outlet port of the conduit, an inlet port for releasably coupling with a hot water outlet port of a water heater, and an outlet port for coupling with a hot water supply line.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater system including a water storage tank and a heat exchange system. The heat exchange system includes a heat absorber positioned below the water storage tank and a heat rejecter in fluid communication with the heat absorber and positioned within the water storage tank. The heat absorber is configured to transfer heat to fluid in the heat exchange system, and the heat rejecter is configured to transfer heat from fluid in the heat exchange system to the water in the water storage tank.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater is provided with a combustion shutoff system which precludes further combustion within the water heater's combustion chamber in response to a combustion temperature therein reaching a predetermined level correlated to and indicative of a predetermined, undesirably high concentration of carbon monoxide present in the combustion chamber. In various illustrated embodiments thereof, the combustion shutoff system is operative to terminate further combustion air inflow to the combustion chamber, or terminate further fuel flow to the burner portion of the water heater.