Micro-combined heat and power system with exterior generator and heating system compatibility and method of use

A micro-combined heat and power system, comprising:

• an exterior genset located externally of a building and comprising a variable speed engine and a generator, the variable speed engine being configured to be modulated between a running speed of approximately 500 RPM to 5000 RPM, and the genset being configured to output an electrical supply of between approximately 0.5 kW and 40 kW, the genset having
• a coolant loop that is configured to heat coolant from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature via heat transfer from the genset, the coolant loop extending from the exterior genset to an interior of the building;
• a coolant-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed within the interior of the building and that is configured to heat liquid disposed within a liquid circuit via heat transfer from the coolant in the coolant loop;
• a liquid-to air exchanger that is disposed in an intake air flow path of a forced air furnace system, the forced air furnace system having a blower and a secondary heat exchanger disposed downstream of the blower in a direction of intake air flow, wherein the liquid-to air exchanger is positioned upstream of the blower in the direction of intake air flow;
• and,
• a pump that is configured, is response to operation of a thermostat monitoring a temperature within the building, to pump the heated liquid through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to provide intake air in the intake flow path of up to 400,000 BTU of heat.

A method of operating the micro-combined heat and power system, comprising the steps of:

• providing an exterior liquid cooled genset located externally of a building and comprising a variable speed engine and a generator;
• using the genset, generating an electrical supply at an electrical output of the generator of between approximately 0.5 kW and 40 kW while modulating the speed of the variable speed engine between a running speed of approximately 500 RPM to 5000 RPM;
• heating coolant disposed within a coolant loop from an initial temperature to an elevated temperature via heat transfer from the exterior liquid cooled genset;
• passing the heated coolant in the coolant loop through a coolant-to-liquid heat exchanger disposed within an interior of the building;
• heating a liquid disposed within a liquid circuit at the coolant-to-liquid heat exchanger via heat transfer from the coolant in the coolant loop;
• and,
• in response to operation of a thermostat in electrical communication with a thermostat-controlled pump, pumping the heated liquid through a liquid-to-air heat exchanger disposed in an intake airflow path of a forced air furnace located within the building,
• wherein the forced air furnace has a blower and a secondary heat exchanger disposed downstream of the blower in a direction of intake air flow, and
• wherein the liquid-to air exchanger is positioned upstream of the blower in the direction of intake air flow so as to heat intake air, wherein the intake air receives up to 400,000 BTU of heat from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger.