Water heater controller

A controller for a hot water heater system having a heater for heating water, a heater pump, a hot water outlet for supplying hot water, a cold water inlet for receiving cold water, and a return line for returning non-used supplied hot water for reheating, the controller comprising:

• recirculating means for circulating the supplied hot water back to the heater via the return line;
• means coupled to the hot water outlet for sensing the temperature of the hot water supply and providing hot water supply temperature data;
• means coupled to the return line for sensing the temperature of the return water and providing return water temperature data;
• means for sensing the temperature of the input water to the heater;
• means for sensing the temperature of the output water to the heater;
• means for sensing use and non-use of hot water;
• means for storing historical data indicative of time periods of hot water use and non-use;
• and
• control means responsive to said hot water supply temperature sensing means, said return temperature sensing means, and said use sensing means for (a) calculating a first setback temperature, (b) controlling the heater to permit the hot water supply temperature to decease to and remain within a first supply setback temperature range based on said calculated setback temperature during sensed non-use that is within a historically indicated hot water use period based on said historical use and non-use data, (c) selectively controlling the heater and said recirculating means to permit the hot water supply temperature to decrease to and remain within a second supply setback temperature range based on a second setback temperature that is lower than said first setback temperature and to permit the return water temperature to decrease to within a return setback temperature during non-use that occurs within a historically indicated non-use period based on said historical non-use data, (d) turning on the heater pump when said heater output water temperature is greater than said heater input water temperature, and (e) controlling the water heater and said recirculating means during sensed use of hot water so that the hot water supply temperature is controlled relative to a predetermined maximum temperature which is greater than said first setback temperature.

A controller for a hot water heater system having a heater for heating water, a hot water outlet for supplying hot water, and a cold water inlet for receiving cold water, the controller comprising:

• means coupled to the hot water outlet for sensing the temperature of the hot water supply and providing hot water supply temperature data;
• means for sensing use and non-use of hot water;
• and
• control means responsive to said hot water supply temperature sensing means and said use sensing means for (a) controlling the heater to permit the hot water supply temperature to decrease to and remain within a first supply setback temperature range defined by a first setback temperature during sensed non-use that is within a predetermined hot water use period, (b) controlling the heater to permit the hot water supply temperature to decrease to and remain within a second supply setback temperature range defined by a second setback temperature during sensed non-use that is within a predetermined heater off periods, and (c) controlling the water heater during sensed use of hot water so that the hot water supply temperature is controlled relative to a predetermined maximum temperature which is greater than said first setback temperature.

A controller for a hot water heater system having a heater for heating water, a hot water outlet for supplying hot water, a cold water inlet for receiving cold water, and a return line for returning non-used supplied hot water for reheating, the controller comprising:

• recirculating means for circulating the supplied hot water to points of usage and back to the heater via the return line;
• means coupled to the hot water outlet for sensing the temperature of the hot water supply and providing hot water supply temperature data;
• means coupled to the return line for sensing the temperature of the return water and providing return water temperature data;
• means for sensing use and non-use of hot water;
• means for storing historical data indicative of time periods of hot water use and non-use;
• and
• control means responsive to said hot water supply temperature sensing means, said return temperature sensing means, and said use sensing means for (a) controlling the heater to permit the hot water supply temperature to decease to and remain within a first supply setback temperature range based on a first supply setback temperature during sensed non-use that is within a historically indicated hot water use period based on said historical use and non-use data, (c) selectively controlling the heater and said recirculating means to permit the hot water supply temperature to decrease to and remain within a second supply setback temperature range based on a second setback temperature that is lower than said first setback temperature and to permit the return water temperature to decrease to within a return setback temperature range based on said second setback temperature during non-use that occurs within a historically indicated non-use period based on said historical non-use data, (d) controlling the water heater and said recirculating means during sensed use of hot water so that the hot water supply temperature is controlled relative to a predetermined maximum temperature which is greater than said first setback temperature.

A controller for a hot water heater system having a heater for heating water, a heater pump, a hot water outlet for supplying hot water, a cold water inlet for receiving cold water, and a return line for returning non-used supplied hot water for reheating, the controller comprising:

• recirculating means for circulating the supplied hot water back to the heater via the return line;
• means coupled to the hot water outlet for sensing the temperature of the hot water supply and providing hot water supply temperature data;
• means coupled to the return line for sensing the temperature of the return water and providing return water temperature data;
• means for sensing the temperature of the input water to the heater;
• means for sensing the temperature of the output water to the heater;
• means for sensing use and non-use of hot water;
• means for storing historical data indicative of time periods of hot water use and non-use;
• and
• control means responsive to said hot water supply temperature sensing means, said return temperature sensing means, and said use sensing means for (a) controlling the heater to permit the hot water supply temperature to decease to and remain within a first supply setback temperature range based on a first supply setback temperature during sensed non-use that is within a historically indicated hot water use period based on said historical use and non-use data, (c) selectively controlling the heater and said recirculating means to permit the hot water supply temperature to decrease to and remain within a second supply setback temperature range based on a second setback temperature that is lower than said first setback temperature and to permit the return water temperature to decrease to within a return setback temperature range based on said second setback temperature during non-use that occurs within a historically indicated non-use period based on said historical non-use data, (d) turning on the heater pump when said heater output water temperature is greater than said heater input water temperature, and (e) controlling the water heater and said recirculating means during sensed use of hot water so that the hot water supply temperature is controlled relative to a predetermined maximum temperature which is greater than said first setback temperature.