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Heat pump water heater in conjunction with gas water heater

a technology of gas water heater and heat pump water heater, which is applied in the field of water heaters, can solve the problems of no hybrid, no heat pump water heater offering as a replacement, and a longer period of time to raise the temperature of the water in the tank, so as to reduce the cost of operation and installation, high efficiency, and high energy efficiency

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-02-21
GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a water heater that uses a hybrid of electric and gas heat pumps to operate with high efficiency and reduce costs. It also provides a solution for losing electrical power by using a gas heat pump instead of a standard gas water heater. In summary, the patent describes an efficient, cost-effective, and reliable water heater that can be used in various situations.

Problems solved by technology

Heat pumps are highly efficient but take a longer period of time to raise the temperature of the water in the tank.
Gas burners, on the other hand, can quickly raise the temperature of the water in the tank.
Nevertheless, no hybrid, heat pump water heater offering is available as a replacement in the gas water heater market.
Gas fuel costs versus electrical costs in some areas make the electrical heat pump water heaters less attractive in terms of payback.
Further, higher installation costs are required if a heat pump water heater is installed as a replacement and particularly if the replacement water heater requires a 240 volt, 30 amp dedicated circuit.
Hence, a 240 V heat pump water heater may not be as attractive to a consumer / homeowner or may encounter other resistance as a replacement to a gas water heater.
Another obstacle to replacing a gas water heater, and particularly one that is at least partially electric such as a gas heat pump water heater, is that installation costs are a big factor.
Electrical connections, gas line connections, and the associated flue all contribute to the potential cost to the homeowner who is considering a change to a gas heat pump water heater as a substitute for the gas water heater.

Method used

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  • Heat pump water heater in conjunction with gas water heater
  • Heat pump water heater in conjunction with gas water heater
  • Heat pump water heater in conjunction with gas water heater

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates a multiple heater type water heater (hereinafter “hybrid water heater 10) according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. The hybrid water heater 10 includes a first heater type 12 and a second heater type 14, which is a different fuel or energy source from the first heater type. More specifically, the first heater type 12 is a heat pump system and the second heater type 14 is a gas burner assembly. It is contemplated that the presently disclosed hybrid water heater 10 can be installed as an alternative water heater in regions of the country that traditionally use a gas water heater, or can be used as a replacement for a gas water heater. When used as a replacement, consideration is also given to ease of replacement and includes drop-in features such as aligning and sizing with an exhaust gas flue, gas supply, water connections, and size. For example, the exhaust duct size may be 3 inches for 40,000 BTU burners or less, and typically 4 inch diameter ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A method for heating water delivered and stored in a water heater storage tank includes activating at least one of dual fuel heater types in response to various modes of operation. The water heater is preferably a dual fuel or hybrid heat pump gas water heater that includes a heat pump as the first type of heater for heating the water, and a gas burner as the second type of heater that transfer heat to the water. One or more sensors monitor water temperature and communicate with a controller to activate one of, or both of, the first and second types of heaters. If there is an electrical power outage, the hybrid heat pump gas water heater is still able to heat the water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]This disclosure is directed to water heaters, and is more particularly directed to a hybrid water heater that is also referred to as a dual fuel water heater or hybrid heat pump gas water heater.[0002]One skilled in the art understands that different heat sources offer different advantages, and likewise have different disadvantages. For example, full-sized tank water heaters usually require either an electrical connection in which the circuit is a 220 / 240 V and 30 amp circuit or a gas connection capable of supplying 40 to 100 K BTUs per hour. Typically, the tank water heater relies upon a single energy source—either electric or gas. Thus, installations in the home are made based upon the energy requirements of the water heater. That is, either a 30 amp connection or a gas connection is provided in order to connect with an electric or gas water heater, respectively, in the home.[0003]As will be appreciated, replacement water heater units for the home...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): F25B29/00
CPCF24H1/205F24H4/04F24H9/2035F24H9/2021F24H15/281F24H15/38F24H15/36F24H15/174F24H15/375F24H15/164F24H15/223F24H15/479
Inventor NELSON, JONATHAN D.BEYERLE, MICHAEL THOMASGREGORY, SUSAN ELIZABETHGROSS, MICHELLE
Owner GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
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