US 12,117,205 B2
Methods and systems and apparatus to support reduced energy and water usage
Peter Konowalczyk, London (GB)
Assigned to Octopus Energy Heating Limited, London (GB)
Appl. No. 18/263,989
Filed by Octopus Energy Heating Limited, London (GB)
PCT Filed Feb. 7, 2022, PCT No. PCT/IB2022/051075
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 2, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/168043, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 11, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2101678 (GB), filed on Feb. 7, 2021; application No. 2109593 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109594 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109596 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109597 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109598 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109599 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; application No. 2109600 (GB), filed on Jul. 2, 2021; and application No. 2111089 (GB), filed on Aug. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0093910 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. F24H 15/395 (2022.01); F24H 15/148 (2022.01); F24H 15/238 (2022.01)
CPC F24H 15/395 (2022.01) [F24H 15/148 (2022.01); F24H 15/238 (2022.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of signalling energy usage to a user of a hot water outlet of a hot water supply system, the hot water supply system including:
a thermal energy store that is supplied with energy from a source of renewable energy;
a renewable energy source;
an auxiliary water heater coupled to a networked energy supply;
a flow transducer operable, when a water flow passes through the hot water outlet, to provide flow rate data for the water flow; and
a processor coupled to the flow transducer;
the hot water supply system being operable, under the control of the processor, to heat water that is to be supplied to the hot water outlet to a target system supply temperature using a selection of one or more of the auxiliary water heater, the renewable energy source, and energy from the thermal energy store; the method comprising:
determining that water is flowing through the hot water outlet, and determining a corresponding flow rate;
determining the selection required to maintain the target system supply temperature at the flow rate demanded by the user at the outlet;
classifying the selection into one of at least two categories, and/or determining the energy usage against a scale of usage;
signalling to a remote light source visible in the vicinity of the outlet a colour based on the classification or on the determined energy usage; and
heating water using the selection.