Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to water healer systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating pre-heat and energy savings operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include at least one heat exchanger, a plurality of temperature sensors sensing water temperature at one or more locations within the water heater system, and a control system in communication with the first and second heat exchangers. In embodiments, the control system can be configured to at least: determine an expected demand for hot water, determine a target modulation rate based on the plurality of temperature sensors, and the expected demand, monitor the plurality of temperature sensors and a flow rate, and update the modulation rate based on at least one of a detected change in flow rate and a detected change in at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to water heater systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating back up operations, e.g., for continuous flow and hot water delivery, in response to errors or interruptions to normal operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include, a plurality of heat exchangers, including a domestic hot water outlet, temperature sensors sensing water temperature at one or more locations within the water heater system, a control system. The control system can be configured to at least: monitor the water temperature measured by the first temperature sensor, identify an abnormality in monitoring the water temperature, initiate am alternative operation to sense water temperature via an alternate pathway and heat water to a set point value during the abnormality, and deliver water heated to the set point value during the abnormality.

Abstract: Systems and methods are directed to water heater systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating pre-heat and energy savings operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include at least one heat exchanger configured to heat water; and a control system in communication with the at least one heat exchanger. The control system can be configured to at least determine an expected flow demand for hot water; sense water temperature at one or more locations, including at a domestic hot water outlet; determine an end to the expected flow demand for hot water; upon receiving an indication to end the flow of hot water, initiate a recovery demand determination; and initiate a pre-heat operation based on the recovery demand determination.

Abstract: A hot water heater appliance includes a boiler, a companion water heater and a controller. The controller is configured to control the water heater appliance in response to a scheduled plurality of performance modes based on a preset schedule. A first performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected low usage time and a second performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected high usage time relative to the expected low usage time.

Abstract: A mixing manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a body; a first converging passageway in the body; a first diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the first converging passageway to form a first venturi; a first obstruction in a throat of the first venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the first venturi and an open position; a second converging passageway in the body; a second diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the second converging passageway to form a second venturi; and a second obstruction in the second venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the second venturi and an open position. A method of providing fluid flow through a manifold is also provided.

Abstract: A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.

Abstract: An airflow proving device is provided. The device includes: a housing defining an airflow pathway; a first chamber within the housing; a second chamber within the housing located downstream in the flow pathway from the first chamber; structure in the housing defining an orifice, the orifice providing fluid communication between the first and second chamber and being part of the fluid pathway; and a pressure measuring device having a first sensor configured to monitor a pressure in the first chamber and a second sensor configured to monitor a pressure in the second chamber.

Abstract: A mixing manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a body; a first converging passageway in the body; a first diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the first converging passageway to form a first venturi; a first obstruction in a throat of the first venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the first venturi and an open position; a second converging passageway in the body; a second diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the second converging passageway to form a second venturi; and a second obstruction in the second venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the second venturi and an open position. A method of providing fluid flow through a manifold is also provided.

Abstract: A hot water heater appliance includes a boiler, a companion water heater and a controller. The controller is configured to control the water heater appliance in response to a scheduled plurality of performance modes based on a preset schedule. A first performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected low usage time and a second performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected high usage time relative to the expected low usage time.

Abstract: A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.

Abstract: A hot water heater appliance includes a boiler, companion water heater, and a controller. The companion water heater has a hot water storage tank. The controller is configured to control the water heater appliance in response to a sensed temperature at an upper portion of the hot water storage tank and a sensed temperature at a lower portion of the hot water storage tank. The controller is configured to control the boiler to quickly heat water in the hot water storage tank in response to both upper and lower temperatures of the hot water storage tank being below a predetermined temperature and the controller is configured to more slowly heat water in the hot water storage tank in response to the upper temperature of the hot water storage tank being above the predetermined temperature and the lower temperature of the hot water storage tank being below the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A boiler gas flow distribution fin includes an elongated flow distribution fin protruding from a back wall of a flow distribution channel into a hot gas flow path from a boiler combustion chamber. The flow distribution fin can include a leading segment with a leading ridge, a medial segment with a medial ridge, and a trailing segment with a trailing ridge. A gap between the fin ridges and a set of convective fins in an adjacent flue passageway segment can vary from a larger gap at the leading ridge to a smaller gap at the trailing ridge, transitioning along the medial ridge. The flow distribution fin can aid in directing a hot gas flow from a combustion chamber into the flue passageway segment, resulting in a substantially balanced mass flow rate through each of a series of flue passageway sections.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more appliances includes a control system where one appliance is in a condition such as having operated at full capacity for a predetermined period of time, and activation signal is sent to a secondary appliance. Appliances may be linked together to control each other, so that when a second appliance is operating at full capacity a third appliance is activated and so on.

Abstract: A control system and method for environmental devices such as heating and cooling devices provides a control system for controlling the environmental device. The control system has a first condition sensor for sensing a first condition of the environment, a memory for recording the sensed first condition at predetermined intervals, a clock associated with the controller that supplies time data, a controller for activating and/or deactivating the environmental device, a memory for storing data relating to the sensed condition, data relating to events of activating and/or deactivating the environmental device and time data, and a processor that controls the activation and deactivation events of the controller based on data including the stored time, activation event, and condition data.

Abstract: A controller for a waste water heat recovery system includes a processor configured to process data received from sensors. The controller receives data from a cold water sensor, a second receiver for receiving data from a hot water sensor and a third receiver for data from a waste water sensor. Further, the controller transmits a controller to a water flow director. Other embodiments of the invention may include a method controlling recovery of waste water heat, including detecting a water temperature of various locations and hot water supply and dispensing system flowing dispensed hot water through a heat exchanger to heat water flowing into a hot water supply and controlling a water director that can selectively supply water to the heat exchanger and the disposal system based on the detected water temperatures.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling one or more appliances includes a control system where one appliance is in a condition such as having operated at full capacity for a predetermined period of time, and activation signal is sent to a secondary appliance. Appliances may be linked together to control each other, so that when a second appliance is operating at full capacity a third appliance is activated and so on.

Abstract: A boiler gas flow distribution fin includes an elongated flow distribution fin protruding from a back wall of a flow distribution channel into a hot gas flow path from a boiler combustion chamber. The flow distribution fin can include a leading segment with a leading ridge, a medial segment with a medial ridge, and a trailing segment with a trailing ridge. A gap between the fin ridges and a set of convective fins in an adjacent flue passageway segment can vary from a larger gap at the leading ridge to a smaller gap at the trailing ridge, transitioning along the medial ridge. The flow distribution fin can aid in directing a hot gas flow from a combustion chamber into the flue passageway segment, resulting in a substantially balanced mass flow rate through each of a series of flue passageway sections.