초록 ▼

A combination water heating and space heating apparatus includes a water heating unit and a space heating unit. The water heating unit has a water storage tank, a heating device for heating water stored in the tank, and a first temperature sensor for sensing water temperature. The space heating unit

A combination water heating and space heating apparatus includes a water heating unit and a space heating unit. The water heating unit has a water storage tank, a heating device for heating water stored in the tank, and a first temperature sensor for sensing water temperature. The space heating unit includes a heat exchanger for heating air supplied to an indoor space, a blower for blowing air over the heat exchanger, and a second temperature sensor for sensing air temperature in the space. Heated water is supplied from the tank to the heat exchanger by means of a circulation pump when the second temperature sensor indicates a demand for heat in the space. The apparatus is controlled to give priority to domestic hot water use (e.g., potable water) over space heating use. This is accomplished by disabling the blower in response to the temperature of the heated water supplied from the tank to the heat exchanger being below a predetermined temperature, while still allowing heated water to be circulated between the tank and the heat exchanger as long as a demand for space heating is still present. When the temperature of the heated water supplied to the heat exchanger recovers above the predetermined temperature, the blower is re-enabled to blow air over the heat exchanger if the demand for space heating is still present.

대표청구항 ▼

1. In a combination water heating and space heating system having a water heating unit for providing heated water for potable water use and for space heating use, a space heating unit for providing heated air to an indoor space, and a water circulating device for circulating water between the water

1. In a combination water heating and space heating system having a water heating unit for providing heated water for potable water use and for space heating use, a space heating unit for providing heated air to an indoor space, and a water circulating device for circulating water between the water heating unit and the space heating unit, the space heating unit including a heat exchanger for heating air supplied to the space and an air mover for moving air over the heat exchanger, a method of controlling operation of the system to give priority to providing heated water for potable water use over space heating use in response to a predetermined water temperature condition, said method comprising the steps of:controlling the water circulating device to supply heated water from the water heating unit to the heat exchanger in response to a demand for heating in the space; determining whether said predetermined water temperature condition is present; selectively enabling the air mover to move air over the heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating when said predetermined water temperature condition is not present or, alternatively, disabling the air mover when said predetermined water temperature condition is present; and allowing the water circulating device to supply heated water to the heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, irrespective of whether said predetermined water temperature condition is present, whereby priority is given to providing heated water for potable water use over space heating use when said predetermined water temperature condition is present without interrupting the supply of heated water to the heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the air mover is operable in a continuous mode, whereby the air mover is enabled to move air continuously over the heat exchanger, irrespective of whether said demand for heating is present, said method further including overriding the continuous fan mode to disable the air mover when said predetermined water temperature condition is present.3. The method of claim 1 wherein the water heating unit includes a water storage tank and the system includes a conduit between the tank and the heat exchanger through which heated water is supplied to the heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said determining including monitoring the temperature of the heated water in said conduit when the water circulating device supplies heated water to the heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said predetermined water temperature condition corresponding to the temperature of the heated water in the conduit being less than a predetermined temperature.4. The method of claim 3 wherein said determining includes continually monitoring the temperature of the heated water in said conduit whenever said demand for heating is present and said disabling includes inhibiting operation of said air mover whenever the temperature of the heated water in the conduit is less than said predetermined temperature.5. In a combination water heating and space heating system having a water heating unit for providing heated water for potable water use and for space heating use, a space heating unit for providing heated air to an indoor space, and a water circulating device for circulating water between said water heating unit and said space heating unit, said space heating unit including a heat exchanger for heating air supplied to the space and an air mover for moving air over said heat exchanger, wherein the improvement comprises control apparatus operable to control said water circulating device to supply heated water from said water heating unit to said heat exchanger and to enable said air mover to move air over said heat exchanger in response to both a demand for heating in the space and the absence of a predetermined water temperature condition, said control apparatus being further operable to disable said air mover when said predetermined water temperature condition is present without disabling said water circulating device from supplying heated water to said heat exchanger when said demand for heating is present, whereby priority is given to providing heated water for potable water use over space heating use when said predetermined water temperature condition is present.6. The system of claim 5 wherein said air mover is operable in a continuous mode, whereby said air mover is enabled to move air continuously over said heat exchanger, irrespective of whether said demand for heating is present, said control apparatus being operable to override said continuous mode to disable said air mover when said predetermined water temperature condition is present.7. The system of claim 5 further including a water storage tank and a conduit between said tank and said heat exchanger through which heated water is supplied to said heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said control apparatus further including a temperature sensor located to sense temperature of the heated water in said conduit when said water circulating device supplies heated water to said heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said predetermined water temperature condition corresponding to the temperature of the heated water in the conduit sensed by said temperature sensor being below a predetermined temperature.8. The system of claim 5 further including a water storage tank and a conduit between said tank and said heat exchanger through which heated water is supplied to said heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said control apparatus further including a thermostat having a setpoint, said thermostat being located to sense temperature of the heated water in said conduit when said water circulating device supplies heated water to said heat exchanger in response to said demand for heating, said predetermined water temperature condition corresponding to the temperature of the heated water in the conduit sensed by said thermostat being below said setpoint.9. The system of claim 8 wherein said thermostat is operable to inhibit electrical power from being supplied to said air mover in response to the temperature of the heated water in said conduit sensed by said thermostat being below said setpoint.