초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are provided for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater. A plurality of user entered selections are received. Idle periods of a set time duration are detected and stored. Responsive to an idle period start time, a control temperature is set to a

A method and apparatus are provided for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater. A plurality of user entered selections are received. Idle periods of a set time duration are detected and stored. Responsive to an idle period start time, a control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. Responsive to an idle period end time, the control temperature is set to a normal temperature. A sleep mode is automatically started responsive to idle times, and a vacation mode is automatically started responsive to an identified number of days of no water usage. In the sleep mode, the control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. In the vacation mode, the control temperature is set to a substantially lower than normal temperature or the water heater is turned off. The user entered selections can include a normal temperature, a sleep temperature for the idle periods, and a vacation temperature. The user entered selections can include the set time duration for idle periods and the number of days of no water usage for the vacation mode. The user entered selections can include manual overrides of idle periods, auto control and learning mode.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising the steps of:receiving a plurality of user entered selections; receiving an ON/OFF signal from a water meter indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater; utilizing

1. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising the steps of:receiving a plurality of user entered selections; receiving an ON/OFF signal from a water meter indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater; utilizing said ON/OFF signal to detect an idle period representing no water usage; detecting idle periods of a set time duration; responsive to an idle period start time, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode; responsive to an idle period end time, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature; detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage; automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature: and responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature.