摘要 |
A water heater construction and the method of operation thereof including a water tank containing water to be heated; a heat pump having condenser heat exchanger externally of the water tank; circulation means for circulating water from the lower end of the water tank through the condenser heat exchanger to heat the water and then back into the upper end of the water tank; and control means for controlling the circulation of the water by the circulation means so that the water returning to the water tank from the condenser heat exchanger has been heated to at least a predetermined return water temperature by the condenser heat exchanger sufficient for immediate use. The control means may include variable flow control valve operatively connecting the condenser heat exchanger with the upper end of the water tank with the flow control valve regulating the flow of water so that the temperature of the water leaving the condenser heat exchanger for return to the upper end of the water tank is at least at the predetermined return water temperature.
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