Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to water heaters including a water storage tank having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall; a combustion chamber extending below the bottom wall of the water storage tank and a heat exchanger configured to receive combustion gases and to transfer heat to water in the water storage tank. The heat exchanger includes a first pass flue extending through the water storage tank and a plurality of second pass flues coupled to receive combustion gases from the first pass flue. The second pass flues extending through the water storage tank and having a straight top portion, a curved bottom portion, and a longitudinal axis residing in a plane. The curved bottom portion of the second pass flues exits the water storage tank through at least one aperture defined in the side wall of the water storage tank.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to water heaters including a water storage tank having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall; a combustion chamber extending below the bottom wall of the water storage tank and a heat exchanger configured to receive combustion gases and to transfer heat to water in the water storage tank. The heat exchanger includes a first pass flue extending through the water storage tank and a plurality of second pass flues coupled to receive combustion gases from the first pass flue. The second pass flues extending through the water storage tank and having a straight top portion, a curved bottom portion, and a longitudinal axis residing in a plane. The curved bottom portion of the second pass flues exits the water storage tank through at least one aperture defined in the side wall of the water storage tank.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to water heaters including a water storage tank having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall; a combustion chamber extending below the bottom wall of the water storage tank and a heat exchanger configured to receive combustion gases and to transfer heat to water in the water storage tank. The heat exchanger includes a first pass flue extending through the water storage tank and a plurality of second pass flues coupled to receive combustion gases from the first pass flue. The second pass flues extending through the water storage tank and having a straight top portion, a curved bottom portion, and a longitudinal axis residing in a plane. The curved bottom portion of the second pass flues exits the water storage tank through at least one aperture defined in the side wall of the water storage tank.

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 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 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 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 inlet conduit having a top end portion configured to be coupled to an inlet port of a water heater is provided. The bottom end portion of the inlet conduit is configured to extend into an interior of the water heater. A passage within the inlet conduit is provided for water flow from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The top end portion of the inlet conduit defines at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow outwardly from the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit. The top end portion of the inlet conduit further defines at least one inlet opening configured to draw water inwardly into the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit.

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 water heater having a water storage tank an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit is provided. The inlet conduit has a top end portion coupled to an inlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of the water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The top end portion of the inlet conduit defines at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow from the passage of the inlet conduit into the water storage tank. The outlet conduit defines a top end portion coupled to an outlet of the water storage tank, a bottom end portion extending into an interior of the water storage tank, and a passage for water flow from the bottom end portion to the top end portion. The top end portion of the outlet conduit defines at least one inlet opening configured to draw water from the water storage tank and into the passage in the top end portion of the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A water heater inlet conduit having a top end portion configured to be coupled to an inlet port of a water heater is provided. The bottom end portion of the inlet conduit is configured to extend into an interior of the water heater. A passage within the inlet conduit is provided for water flow from the top end portion to the bottom end portion. The top end portion of the inlet conduit defines at least one outlet opening configured to divert a portion of the water flow outwardly from the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit. The top end portion of the inlet conduit further defines at least one inlet opening configured to draw water inwardly into the passage in the top end portion of the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly adapted for use in a water tank is provided. The heat exchange assembly includes a tube having end portions and a coiled portion between the end portions. A fitting is connected to at least one of the end portions of the tube. The fitting has an end configured to extend through an opening in the water tank, and a surface positioned to limit the extension of the end through the opening in the water tank. The fitting also has an opposite end defining a bore configured to receive one of the end portions of the tube and to limit the extension of the end portion of the tube into the opposite end of the fitting. The bore extends axially beyond the surface of the fitting.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank having a wall defining an interior for holding water is provided. A heat exchange assembly is positioned at least partially within the interior of the tank. The heat exchange assembly has an outer tube extending within the interior of the tank. The outer tube has a wall with an inner surface. An inner tube extends within the outer tube. The inner tube has a wall with an outer surface. A gap is defined between the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube. Heat conducting fluid is contained within the gap. The fluid facilitates the transfer of heat between the inner tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: A water heater including a tank having a wall defining an interior for holding water is provided. A heat exchange assembly is positioned at least partially within the interior of the tank. The heat exchange assembly includes a metallic outer tube positioned within the interior of the tank. The outer tube has a wall with an inner surface and end portions positioned within the interior of the tank. The heat exchange assembly further includes a metallic inner tube extending within the outer tube and having end portions extending through the wall of the tank. The inner tube has a wall with an outer surface. A portion of the outer surface of the inner tube contacts a portion of the inner surface of the outer tube, thereby facilitating the transfer of heat between the inner tube and the outer tube.

Abstract: A heat exchange assembly adapted for use in a water tank is provided. The heat exchange assembly includes a tube having end portions and a coiled portion between the end portions. A fitting is connected to at least one of the end s portions of the tube. The fitting has an end configured to extend through an opening in the water tank, and a surface positioned to limit the extension of the end through the opening in the water tank. The fitting also has an opposite end defining a bore configured to receive one of the end portions of the tube and to limit the extension of the end portion of the tube into the opposite end of the fitting. The bore extends axially beyond the surface of the fitting.