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 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 fluid heating system, comprising: a heater having an inlet and an outlet; a storage vessel; a fluid mixer having a first inlet for receiving fluid stored in or passing through the storage vessel, a second inlet for receiving fluid from a cold fluid supply, and an outlet for supplying fluid to the heater inlet; wherein in a first mode the heater is operable to heat fluid in the storage vessel, and in a second mode the fluid mixer is mixes fluid from or passing through the storage vessel with fluid from the cold fluid supply at a predefined volumetric ratio to provide mixed fluid to the inlet of the heater to be heated further to an output temperature.

Abstract: A tank-tankless water heater includes primary and secondary heat exchangers, and a combustor for the production of flue gases. In operation, water is first heated as the water and flue gases flow through primary heat exchanger. The water flows into the tank where it is stored and again heated as the flue gases flow through the secondary heat exchanger. A pump moves the water from the secondary heat exchanger, through the primary heat exchanger, and back to the secondary heat exchanger for storage as needed to maintain the stored water at a desired temperature. Water is drawn from the secondary heat exchanger during initial demand to provide a ready source of hot water, and the hot water supply is maintained by the primary heat exchanger during sustained hot water draws. The primary heat exchanger may include a temperature or temperature differential control system.

Abstract: A hot water heater, particularly but not exclusively for domestic use, is herein described and having removably secured thereto a modular heat exchanger or an external water heater to heat the water in a separate tank portion. The two are easily separable from one another for service, repair or interchange. The air-to-air heat exchanger extracts heat loss from the central flue of a gas fired water heater to provide a source of heat for the building in which the hot water heater is installed. The external water heater is provided with a gas-fired burner for heating water from the tank circulated in a heat exchanger to transfer heat from a fluid heated by the burner and circulated in the heat exchanger to transfer the heat to water circulated from the water tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying condensate from an exhaust system of a gas water heater to a drain. The method includes the steps of operating the gas water heater to produce products of combustion, operating a blower to cause the products of combustion to flow through the exhaust system to atmosphere, allowing condensate from the products of combustion to form within the exhaust system, using a drain conduit to connect a relatively high pressure zone of the exhaust system to a relatively low pressure zone of the exhaust system, using a pressure differential between the relatively high pressure zone and the relatively low pressure zone to convey condensate through the drain conduit from the relatively high pressure zone to the relatively low pressure zone, and conveying condensate from the relatively low pressure zone to the drain.

Abstract: The equipment of the invention includes a boiler, a hot water storage tank, a duct for supplying domestic cold water, and a duct for tapping domestic hot water, wherein said equipment is characterized in that the duct for supplying cold water comprises a T-shaped connector connected by a duct provided with a storage vessel to a re-circulation duct connecting the tank to the inlet duct, provided with a pump, of the boiler, and in that the outlet duct of the boiler is provided with a three-way valve connected by a by pass duct to said T-shaped connector, wherein said valve can selectively assume a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and the central portion of the tank, or a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and said bypass duct.

Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a base plate sized and shaped to substantially sealingly cover an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and has at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a gas control valve, and a flexible seal positioned at least partly within the opening including an engaging portion substantially sealed to an edge portion of the opening, and a through hole that is shaped to receive the fuel supply and has a size slightly smaller than the size of an outer dimension of the fuel supply line such that the flexible seal and the fuel supply line are friction fit together to form a seal.

Abstract: A water heater includes a water container, a combustion chamber having an opening that may be covered by a door and located adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the water container, and a control valve for regulating fuel flow from an external fuel source. A fuel line extends between the control valve and the burner, the fuel line has a first substantially rigid portion connected to the control valve, a second interior portion extending from the door to the burner and a third flexible portion fixedly connected to both of the first and second portions.

Abstract: A heating system has a heating unit with a combustion chamber for burning wood pellets or other pelletized fuel. The heating unit is controlled by a process control module that automatically keeps all operating functions within predetermined limits for safe, efficient and easy operation. The unit also includes a combustion air distribution assembly with a stir shaft that rotates within the combustion chamber and introduces combustion air through orifices along the length of the shaft to enhance fuel combustion. A thermo cycle plumbing assembly serves as a safety feature by preventing overheating in the event of a power failure or pump failure. Also included in the unit is a removable insulated firebox burn chamber that provides a high temperature combustion atmosphere and a heat/particulate recovery module which provides maximum heating efficiency and reduces emissions, meeting EPA requirements and contributing to a cleaner environment.

Abstract: A temperate water supply is provided. The temperate water supply system includes a temperate water storage tank and a heat exchanger. The temperate water storage tank has a first tank inlet, a first tank outlet, a second tank inlet and a second tank outlet. The first tank inlet is connectable to a cold water source. The first tank outlet is connectable to at least one temperate water use point in the residence. The heat exchanger has a heat exchanger inlet and a heat exchanger outlet and a plurality of water conduits connected in parallel fluid communication with the heat exchanger inlet and with the heat exchanger outlet. The heat exchanger inlet is connectable to the second tank outlet, and the heat exchanger outlet is connectable to the second tank inlet. In use, the plurality of water conduits are filled with water and are in contact with ambient air in the residence that is warmer than the water at least a portion of the time, so that heat is transferred from the ambient air to the water.

Abstract: A supplemental water heater tank and system features a supplemental tank with an inner vessel surrounded by an outer jacket. The space there between is generally evacuated of air so that the inner vessel is vacuum insulated. The supplemental tank includes water inlet and outlet ports. Water is heated in a water heater and transferred from the upper portion of the water heater tank to the lower portion of the vacuum-insulated supplemental tank through an insulated line and a dip tube that extends between the water inlet port and the bottom portion of the inner vessel. Hot water is withdrawn from the upper portion of the inner vessel of the supplemental tank for use in a home or the like.

Abstract: An explosion-proof hot water heater of the type having a gas-fired combustion chamber at a lower end of the inner tank is described. The combustion chamber is an unsealed chamber and has a sealed bottom wall and a fuel burner in the combustion chamber. Combustion air intake ports are provided about the combustion chamber above the sealed bottom wall. A support base supports the sealed bottom wall elevated from a support surface. Air intake openings are provided about the outer skin casing of the hot water tank and spaced a predetermined distance above the sealed bottom wall. Air passages communicate the air intake openings with the combustion air intake ports of the combustion chamber. A gas vapour sensor is secured in relation to the support base below the sealed bottom wall and is adapted to cause the burner to be shut off upon detection of explosive vapours with sufficient time delay before such vapours reach the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber beneath the tank, a gas burner in the combustion chamber, an air plenum upstream of the combustion chamber, a flame arrestor located such that air in the air plenum passes through the flame arrestor to reach the combustion chamber, and a flue extending upwardly from the combustion chamber and through the water tank.