US 2020/0049377 A1 · WATER HEATER APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING A WATER HEATER APPLIANCE

Abstract

A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for operating a water heater appliance, comprising:

determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance;
monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance;
monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance;
turning the lower heating element on when the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold;
and
turning the lower heating element off when the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature.

3 more elements

A water heater appliance, comprising:

a tank extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along a vertical direction, the tank defining an interior volume;
an upper heating element positioned within the interior volume of the tank proximate the top portion of the tank;
a lower heating element positioned within the interior volume of the tank proximate the bottom portion of the tank;
a first temperature sensor positioned proximate the lower heating element and configured for measuring a temperature of water within the interior volume of the tank proximate the lower heating element;
a second temperature sensor positioned proximate the upper heating element and configured for measuring a temperature of water within the interior volume of the tank proximate the upper heating element;
and
a controller in operative communication with the upper heating element, the lower heating element, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor, the controller configured for:
monitoring the temperature proximate to the lower heating element of the water heater appliance with the first temperature sensor;
monitoring the temperature proximate to the upper heating element of the water heater appliance with the second temperature sensor;
turning the lower heating element on when the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold;
and
turning the lower heating element off when the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Water heater appliance and a method for operating a water heater appliance

Life of this patent

Water heater appliance and a method for operating a water heater appliance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20