A hot water supply device (10) is provided with: a first device (for example, a kitchen remote controller (13)) for performing control relating to hot water supply; a second device (for example, a water heater (11)) that is communicably connected to the first device and performs control relating to hot water supply; and a communication unit that is provided in the first device and can be connected to an external communication network. The first device divides data of control software of the second device acquired from an external device (for example, a server (50)) via the communication unit, into a plurality of parts, and transmits to the second device.

A system for providing air conditioning to a living space and heating potable water. The system comprising a heat pump circuit comprising a compressor for circulating a refrigerant around the heat pump circuit, a first condenser, a second condenser and an evaporator. The evaporator being adapted to receive a first flow of air from an air inlet to transfer heat from the first flow of air to the refrigerant. The first condenser being adapted to receive a flow of water to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the water. The second condenser being adapted to receive a second flow of air to transfer heat from the refrigerant to the second flow of air. The first flow being provided from the evaporator to a living space by an air outlet.

A manifold for the distribution of a fluid in a plumbing and heating system has a tubular shape and defines in its interior a distribution conduit for the fluid. The manifold extends between a first inlet/outlet end and a second inlet/outlet end, both of which are designed to put the distribution conduit in communication with the exterior of the manifold to receive incoming fluid or to send fluid exiting the manifold. The manifold comprises a plurality of branches arranged in series along a longitudinal extension and interposed between the first and second inlet/outlet ends, wherein each branch allows a quantity of fluid to enter into or exit from the distribution conduit. Each branch is provided with an access or exit opening having a respective axis, and the branches are positioned in the manifold in such a way that: the distance between the first inlet/outlet end and the axis of the first branch is equal to an initial stretch, the centre-to-centre distance between the axis of each branch and the axes of the adjacent branches is equal to a centre-to-centre distance measurement between the branches, and the distance between the axis of the last branch and the second inlet/outlet end is equal to a final stretch. The length of the final stretch is equal to the sum of the length of the initial stretch and half of the centre-to-centre distance measurement.

A method for controlling a water heater comprising: receiving report information transmitted by a user-wearable device at a predetermined frequency; determining whether a user is coming back according to user location information included in the report information; and if the user is coming back, turning on a return water pump to permit water outputted from a water outlet of the water heater to return to the water heater through a water return port. The present disclosure determines a movement direction and the user location by using report information transmitted by the user-wearable device. If the user is coming back, the return water pump is turned on to permit water to return, so that the user can take a hot bath immediately after arriving home, thereby improving user's experience.

In a control device, an instruction acquirer acquires an instruction to suppress in a specified period supplying of generated power generated by power generator installed in a power-consuming area to a commercial electrical power system. Upon the instruction acquirer acquiring the instruction, a water heater controller commands a water heater installed in the power-consuming area to perform a water heat-up operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied in the specified period.

An indicator generating method for generating an indicator which is suitable for maintenance prediction of a water heating system is proposed. A power state indication device generates a high power consumption signal if a heating device of the water heating system is activated. The time duration of the activation is such an indicator, if no water flow is present. Furthermore, the time interval between subsequent activations is such an indicator. A predictive maintenance method processes these condition-based indicators and determines a remaining useful lifetime according to a predictive maintenance model. The predictive maintenance device outputs a maintenance signal indicating required maintenance, if the remaining useful lifetime drops below a predetermined threshold. The methods may be performed by water heating systems or beverage makers.

Disclosed is a method for controlling a control valve (110), wherein the control valve (110) is configured to control a flow of heat transfer fluid to a thermal energy extraction unit (108). The method comprising: reviewing (S402) a demand signal for the control valve (110); checking (S404) if the demand signal is indicative of setting the control valve (110) in a hysteresis interval for the control valve (110); and upon the demand signal is indicative of setting the control valve (110) in the hysteresis interval, alternatingly (S406) setting the control valve (110) in an open state above the hysteresis interval and setting the control valve (110) in a closed state.

The present invention relates to a device for regulating a heating and/or cooling system serving a building, said system comprising a management system and a generation system, said device being adapted to: receive a main signal from said management system; receive at least one reference signal representative of a desired parameter for said building; receive at least one environmental signal representative of at least one parameter related to said building,
said device being characterized in that it is adapted to: receive a control unit signal representative of a parameter related to the generation system, output a control signal for said generation system,
said control signal being determined on the basis of said main signal, said reference signal, said at least one environmental signal and said control unit signal.

Systems and methods are directed to water healer systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating pre-heat and energy savings operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include at least one heat exchanger, a plurality of temperature sensors sensing water temperature at one or more locations within the water heater system, and a control system in communication with the first and second heat exchangers. In embodiments, the control system can be configured to at least: determine an expected demand for hot water, determine a target modulation rate based on the plurality of temperature sensors, and the expected demand, monitor the plurality of temperature sensors and a flow rate, and update the modulation rate based on at least one of a detected change in flow rate and a detected change in at least one of the plurality of temperature sensors.

Systems and methods are directed to water heater systems, including combi boilers and instantaneous water heaters, for initiating pre-heat and energy savings operations. Embodiments of the present invention can include at least one heat exchanger configured to heat water; and a control system in communication with the at least one heat exchanger. The control system can be configured to at least determine an expected flow demand for hot water; sense water temperature at one or more locations, including at a domestic hot water outlet; determine an end to the expected flow demand for hot water; upon receiving an indication to end the flow of hot water, initiate a recovery demand determination; and initiate a pre-heat operation based on the recovery demand determination.