Hot Water Re-Circulation Isolator System in Combination with Water Heater/Hydronic Heating System

Abstract

A heating system includes a water heater configured to heat water, a water recirculation loop configured to receive a first portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide the first portion of hot water back to the water heater, an air handler loop configured to receive a second portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide cooled water back to the water heater, and a controllable valve configured prevent the air handler from receiving the second portion of the hot water.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating system comprising:
 an air handler;   a water heater configured to heat water;   a water recirculation loop configured to receive a first portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide at least a portion of the first portion of hot water back to the water heater;   an air handler loop configured to receive a second portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide cooled water back to the water heater; and   a controllable valve configured prevent the air handler from receiving the second portion of hot water.   
     
     
         2 . The heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermostat configured to generate a thermostat signal based on a detected temperature. 
     
     
         3 . The heating system of  claim 2 , wherein the thermostat is configured to provide the thermostat signal to the air handler, and wherein the controllable valve comprises a mechanical valve. 
     
     
         4 . The heating system of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanical valve comprises a pressure valve. 
     
     
         5 . The heating system of  claim 4 , wherein the air handler comprises an internal pump configured to pump the second portion of hot water from the water heater, wherein the thermostat signal causes the air handler to active the internal pump so as to pump the second portion of hot water from the water heater, and wherein the pumping of the second portion of hot water from the water heater creates pressure to open the pressure valve to cause the air handler to provide the cooled water back to the water heater. 
     
     
         6 . The heating system of  claim 3 , wherein the thermostat is configured to provide the thermostat signal to the air handler via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         7 . The heating system of  claim 2 , wherein the thermostat is configured to provide the thermostat signal to the water heater, and wherein the controllable valve comprises an electronically actuated valve. 
     
     
         8 . The heating system of  claim 7 , wherein the water heater is configured to transmit a valve control signal to cause the controllable valve to open to allow the air handler to receive the second portion of hot water from the air handler loop, and wherein the water heater is configured to transmit an air handler signal to cause the air handler to provide the cooled water back to the air handler loop. 
     
     
         9 . The heating system of  claim 7 , wherein the thermostat is configured to provide the thermostat signal to the water heater via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         10 . The heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the water recirculation loop includes a dedicated return portion that is distinct from the air handler loop. 
     
     
         11 . A method of heating water, the method comprising:
 heating, via a water heater, water;   receiving, via a water recirculation loop, a first portion of hot water from the water heater;   providing, via the water recirculation loop, at least a portion of the first portion of hot water back to the water heater;   receiving, via an air handler loop, a second portion of hot water from the water heater;   providing, via the air handler loop, cooled water back to the water heater; and   preventing, via a controllable valve, an air handler from receiving the second portion of hot water.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising generating, via a thermostat, a thermostat signal based on a detected temperature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing, via the thermostat, the thermostat signal to the air handler,   wherein the controllable valve comprises a pressure valve.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 pumping, via an internal pump of the air handler, the second portion of hot water from the water heater,   wherein the thermostat signal causes the air handler to active the internal pump so as to pump the second portion of hot water from the water heater, and   wherein the pumping of the second portion of hot water from the water heater creates pressure to open the pressure valve to cause the air handler to provide the cooled water back to the water heater.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the providing, via the thermostat, the thermostat signal to the air handler comprises providing the thermostat signal to the air handler via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 providing, via the thermostat, the thermostat signal to the water heater,   wherein the controllable valve comprises an electronically actuated valve.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 transmitting, via the water heater, a valve control signal to cause the controllable valve to open to allow the air handler to receive the second portion of hot water from the air handler loop; and   transmitting, via the water heater, an air handler signal to cause the air handler to provide the cooled water back to the air handler loop.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the providing, via the thermostat, the thermostat signal to the water heater comprises providing the thermostat signal to the water heater via a wireless transmission. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water recirculation loop includes a dedicated return portion that is distinct from the air handler loop. 
     
     
         20 . A heating system for use with an input water source, the heating system comprising:
 a water heater configured to heat water;   a water recirculation loop configured to receive a first portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide at least a portion of the first portion of hot water back to the water heater;   an air handler loop configured to receive a second portion of hot water from the water heater and to provide cooled water back to the water heater;   an input line valve configured to receive water from the input water source and to prevent cooled water from the air handler loop for flowing out to the input water source; and   a controllable valve configured prevent an air handler from receiving the second portion of hot water.