Heating systems utilizing stored energy as a power source

Abstract

Disclosed is a heating system. The heating system includes a heating element configured to heat a working fluid and a circulation system configured to circulate the working fluid through a circulation loop. The heating system further includes an energy storage device configured to store and discharge energy. The discharged energy comprises electricity delivered to the heating element and the circulation system. In addition, a recharging element is configured to charge the energy storage device.

1 . A heating system comprising:
 a heating element configured to heat a working fluid;   a circulation system configured to circulate the working fluid through a circulation loop;   an energy storage device configured to store and discharge energy, wherein the discharged energy comprises electricity delivered to the heating element and the circulation system; and   a recharging element configured to charge the energy storage device.   
     
     
         2 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device comprises at least one battery. 
     
     
         3 . The heating system of  claim 2 , wherein the recharging element comprises a battery charger. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system of  claim 2 , wherein the recharging element comprises an alternator operatively connected to a motor and the energy storage device, wherein the motor is configured to cause the alternator to charge the at least one battery. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a water heater. 
     
     
         6 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to activate the recharging element when an energy content of the energy storage device is below a preset level. 
     
     
         7 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage device is configured to deliver power to the heating element and the circulation system during “peak” times and the recharging element is configured to recharge the energy storage device during “off-peak” times. 
     
     
         8 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a power outage and cause the energy storage system to deliver power to the heating element and the circulation system during the power outage. 
     
     
         9 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the working fluid comprises water and the circulation system comprises a circulation pump configured to circulate the water to baseboard heating elements. 
     
     
         10 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising an inverter operatively connected to the energy storage device, the heating element, and the circulation system, wherein the inverter is configured to convert direct current electricity discharged from the energy storage device to alternating current for use by the circulation system and the heating element. 
     
     
         11 . A heating system comprising:
 a water heater;   a circulation pump for circulating water throughout a circulation loop;   at least one battery operatively connect to and configured to deliver electricity to the water heater and the circulation pump; and   a recharging element configured to recharge the at least one battery.   
     
     
         12 . The heating system of  claim 11 , the recharging element comprises a battery charger. 
     
     
         13 . The heating system of  claim 12 , wherein the recharging element is powered by at least one solar cell. 
     
     
         14 . The heating system of  claim 11 , wherein the recharging element is configured to active when an energy content of the at least one battery is below a preset level. 
     
     
         15 . The heating system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one battery is configured to deliver power to the water heater and the circulation system during “peak” times and the recharging element is configured to recharge the at least one battery during “off-peak” times. 
     
     
         16 . The heating system of  claim 11 , further comprising an inverter operatively connected to the at least one battery, the water heater, and the circulation system, wherein the inverter is configured to convert direct current electricity discharged from the at least one battery to alternating current for use by the circulation system and the water heater. 
     
     
         17 . A method for heating a space, the method comprising:
 converting stored energy into electrical energy, where the stored energy is stored onsite in an energy storage unit;   utilizing the electrical energy to heat a working fluid;   utilizing the electrical energy to circulate the working fluid throughout the space; and   recharging the energy storage device.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 ,
 wherein utilizing the electrical energy to circulate the working fluid comprises utilizing the electrical energy from the energy storage unit during “peak” times,   wherein utilizing the electrical energy to heat the working fluid comprises utilizing the electrical energy from the energy storage unit during “peak” times, and   wherein recharging the energy storage unit comprises recharging the energy storage device during “off-peak” times.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein utilizing the electrical energy to heat a working fluid and utilizing the electrical energy to circulate the working fluid comprising using the electrical energy to heat a working fluid and utilizing the electrical energy to circulate the working fluid during a power outage. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein recharging the energy storage device comprises determining when an energy content of the energy storage device is below a preset level.