Water heater control

• US 20060243816A1
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Teti
• Original Assignee: Robert Teti
• Inventors: Teti, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,477 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 237/8.R
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1066 for the combination of central heating and domestic hot water
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/156 Reducing the quantity of energy consumed; Increasing efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/174 Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/36 of burners
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/464 using local wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/52 Heat recovery pumps, i.e. heat pump based systems or units able to transfer the thermal energy from one area of the premises or part of the facilities to a different one, improving the overall efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 236/09 Fan control

Abstract

A system and method of using a set-back or programmable thermostat for heating or cooling systems to also controlling a fast-recovery water heater such as a power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater such that the water heater is disabled during a set-back mode of the thermostat. The system sends a control signal to a relay module adjacent to the water heater, into which the water heater electrical power cord can be plugged into. The interlock mechanism of the water heater prevents operation of the water heater when power to the water heater is interrupted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a power-conserving mode in a heating and/or cooling system, in conjunction with a fossil fuel powered water heater, said fossil fuel powered water heater requiring electric power for control and/or venting, the apparatus comprising:

a thermostat means for controlling said furnace and/or air conditioner; and

a relay means for controlling electric power to said water heater;

wherein said thermostat means is operable to provide a set-back mode for reducing energy consumption, and wherein said thermostat means is configured to control said relay means to disconnect electric power to said water heater during said set-back mode.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermostat is a set-back thermostat.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermostat is a programmable thermostat.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fossil fuel powered water heater comprises a ventilation fan, a fossil fuel powered heating means and an interlock means operable to disable said heating means when said ventilation fan is inactive.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said relay means is configured to disconnect electric power to said ventilation fan.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, where said relay means is located proximate said water heater.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, where said relay means controls an electrical outlet operable to supply said water heater.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, where said relay means further comprises:

an electrical relay having a power input, a power output and a control input;

an enclosure for enclosing said relay;

a plug means affixed to said enclosure for plugging into an electrical outlet, said plug means in electrical communication with said relay power input;

a socket means affixed to said enclosure for accepting a plug of a power cord to said water heater, said socket means in electrical communication with said relay power output; and

electrical terminals to accept control wires from said thermostat, said electrical terminals in electrical communication with said relay control input.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said relay control input is operable to accept circuit completion at said thermostat as control signal.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said relay control input is operable to accept an electrical voltage signal as control signal.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said electrical voltage signal is an ac or dc voltage in the range of 5 to 30 volts.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said apparatus is a stand-alone device, independent of inputs from external devices.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said apparatus is a residential HVAC thermostat.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said water heater comprises a hot water storage reservoir.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, where said relay means is incorporated into said water heater.

16. A method of disabling a power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater during set-back periods of a programmable thermostat, said method comprising steps of:

programming a set-back mode for a predetermined time period on said programmable thermostat;

activating said set-back mode at the start of said set-back time period;

sending a control signal to a relay means;

disengaging a relay contact at said relay means so as to interrupt electric power to said water heater.

17. The method of claim 16, further wherein said step of interrupting electric power to said water heater, interrupts power to a vent fan of the water heater and an interlock means of said water heater disables heating means of said water heater.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater comprises a ventilation fan, a fossil fuel powered heating means and an interlock means operable to disable said heating means when said ventilation fan is inactive, and wherein said step of interrupting electric power to said water heater comprises a step of interrupting electric power to said ventilation fan, said method further comprising a step of said interlock means disabling said heating means, responsive to said step of interrupting power to said ventilation fan.

19. A kit for retrofitting set-back functionality to a power vented fossil fuel powered water heater, said kit comprising:

a thermostat means for controlling a furnace and/or air conditioner; and

a relay means for controlling electric power to said water heater;

wherein said thermostat means is operable to provide a set-back mode for reducing energy consumption, and wherein said thermostat means controls said relay means to disconnect power to said water heater during said set-back mode.

20. A kit as claimed in claim 19, wherein said power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater comprises a ventilation fan, a fossil fuel powered heating means and an interlock means operable to disable said heating means when said ventilation fan is inactive and wherein said relay means is configured to interrupt electric power to said ventilation fan.