Method and apparatus for operating an electric water heater
AssigneeTherm-O-Disc, Incorporated
InventorRobert Hartge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state. The control module maintains a stratification of water within the water heater including a first volume maintained at a set point temperature and a second volume held at a setback temperature, which is less than the set point temperature. The setback temperature is low enough to maintain the stratification yet high enough to allow the upper heating element to heat water from the second volume to the set point temperature prior to exiting the water heater.
Claims27
An electric water heater comprising:
- a tank defining a volume;
- a water inlet fluidly coupled to said tank;
- a water outlet fluidly coupled to said tank;
- at first heating element extending into said tank and disposed proximate to said inlet;
- a second heating element extending into said tank and disposed proximate to said outlet;
- and
- a control module operable to maintain a stratification of water within said tank, said stratification including a first volume maintained at a set point temperature and a second volume held at a setback temperature that is less than said set point temperature;
- wherein said setback temperature is low enough to maintain the stratification and high enough to allow said second heating element to heat water from said second volume to said set point temperature prior to exiting said tank at said outlet.
A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element, the control system comprising:
- a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state;
- and
- a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature for the electric water heater;
- wherein said control module is operable to maintain a stratification of water within said tank, said stratification including a first volume maintained at a set point temperature and a second volume held at a setback temperature that is less than said set point temperature;
- wherein said setback temperature is low enough to maintain the stratification and high enough to allow said second heating element to heat water from said second volume to said set point temperature prior to exiting said tank at said outlet.
A method for controlling an electric water heater comprising:
- filling the water heater with water;
- setting a set point temperature;
- energizing an upper heating element to heat a first volume of water disposed above said upper heating element to a set point temperature;
- de-energizing said upper heating element once said set point temperature is achieved;
- energizing a lower heating element to heat a second volume of water disposed between said lower heating element and said upper heating element to a temperature at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit less than said set point temperature.
A method for controlling an electric water heater comprising:
- filling the water heater with water;
- setting a set point temperature;
- energizing an upper heating element to heat a first volume of water disposed above said upper heating element to a set point temperature;
- de-energizing said upper heating element once said set point temperature is achieved;
- energizing a lower heating element to heat a second volume of water disposed between said lower heating element and said upper heating element to a temperature at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit less than said set point temperature;
- energizing said upper heating element when water is drawn from the water heater and water from said second volume of water contacts said upper heating element to heat said water from said second volume of water to said set point temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.