Water heater controller and methods for controlling water temperature

A method, comprising:

• externally attaching a device to a thermostat of a water heater, wherein the device is secured to the thermostat without modifying internal components of the thermostat or water heater, and wherein attaching the device comprises positioning one or more mounting tabs within corresponding channels of the device to adjust a relative position of the device with respect to the thermostat;
• engaging, by the device, a temperature adjustor of the thermostat, wherein the temperature adjustor comprises a rotary knob or dial;
• receiving inputs from at least one user regarding respective water needs;
• aggregating the inputs to create a heating plan, wherein the heating plan comprises a first mode associated with a reduced water temperature and a second mode associated with an increased water temperature;
• and
• controlling the thermostat by causing the device, while externally attached to the thermostat, to apply physical force to the temperature adjustor, including rotating the rotary knob or dial to move the temperature adjustor, wherein controlling the thermostat comprises:
• reducing the water temperature during the first mode;
• and
• increasing the water temperature prior to an anticipated hot water demand determined based on at least one of the received inputs or historical usage.

A computer program product that facilitates operations of a retrofit adapter for a thermostat-controlled water heater, the computer program product comprising a readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

• receive inputs from a plurality of users regarding respective water needs;
• aggregate the inputs to create a heating plan, wherein the heating plan comprises a first mode associated with a reduced water temperature and a second mode associated with an increased water temperature;
• cause a device externally attached to a thermostat of the water heater to mechanically engage a temperature adjustor of the thermostat, wherein the temperature adjustor comprises a rotary knob or dial;
• enable the device externally attached to the thermostat of the water heater to mechanically adjust the temperature adjustor of the thermostat without modifying internal components of the thermostat or water heater, including causing the device to apply physical force to rotate the rotary knob or dial;
• reduce a temperature of water in the water heater during a first period of time of the heating plan associated with water usage below a first threshold value;
• and
• increase the temperature of the water during a second period of time of the heating plan associated with water usage above a second threshold value, including increasing the temperature prior to an anticipated hot water demand determined based on at least one of the received inputs or historical usage, wherein the second threshold value comprises a temperature greater than the first threshold value.