APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR HYBRID WATER HEATING AND AIR COOLING AND CONTROL THEREOF

摘要

A system for conditioning air circulated from an interior of a building includes a refrigerant path, an air-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path, a water-cooled condenser in the refrigerant path that transfers heat from refrigerant in the refrigerant path to the building water, an evaporator in the refrigerant path, and a control system. The control system moves the system between operation of the air-cooled condenser and the water-cooled condenser based upon predetermined system conditions.

主权项

1. A system for conditioning air and for heating water, comprising:
a refrigerant path; a first condenser in the refrigerant path and disposed in an air flow path so that the first condenser transfers heat to air in the air flow path from refrigerant moving through the first condenser in the refrigerant path; a second condenser in the refrigerant path and that defines a water flow path so that the second condenser transfers heat to water in the water flow path from refrigerant moving through the second condenser in the refrigerant path; an output line in the refrigerant path from the first condenser to an evaporator; and a control system in operative communication with the refrigerant path and configured to
selectively direct refrigerant flow through the first condenser or the second condenser, andupon directing refrigerant flow through the second condenser without directing refrigerant flow through the first condenser, draining refrigerant from the first condenser, in response to pressure in the first condenser or the output line.