Heating appliance

Abstract

A heating appliance having a housing which houses a water and air heating system. The water heating system includes a heat source and a first heat exchanger for transferring heat to a working fluid passing through the housing. The air heating system includes a water-to-air heat exchanger in communication with the working fluid and a source of air, for heating air using the working fluid. The housing defines an upper compartment for the heat source and first heat exchanger, and a lower compartment for the water-to-air heat exchanger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heating appliance, comprising:
 a housing for a water heating system and an air heating system, wherein the water heating system is mounted in the housing and comprises:
 a heat source; and 
 a first heat exchanger for transferring heat to a working fluid passing through the housing, 
   wherein the air heating system is mounted in the housing and comprises a water-to-air heat exchanger in communication with the working fluid and a source of air for heating air using the working fluid,   wherein the housing defines an upper compartment for the heat source and first heat exchanger, and   wherein the housing defines a lower compartment for the water-to-air heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing comprises an air inlet; and   the air heating system comprises a fan for collecting air entering the housing via the inlet and an air guide for transferring the collected air to the water-to-air heat exchanger.   
     
     
         3 . A heating appliance according to  claim 2 , wherein the fan and guide are mounted below at least one of the heat source or the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the air heating system comprises a fan for collecting air and a guide for transferring the collected air to the water-to-air heat exchanger; and   the fan and conduit are mounted in the lower compartment.   
     
     
         5 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the housing comprises an air inlet to allow air to pass into the housing for supply to the air heating system; and   wherein the air inlet is provided in an upper region of the housing.   
     
     
         6 . A heating appliance according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 an air duct is arranged in communication with the air inlet; and   the air duct is configured to guide incoming air downwards to a location below at least one of the heat source or the first heat exchanger.   
     
     
         7 . A heating appliance according to  claim 6 , wherein the first heat exchanger is mounted on the air duct. 
     
     
         8 . A heating appliance according to  claim 6 , wherein the air duct is arranged behind at least one of the heat source or the first heat exchanger with respect to a front face of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . A heating appliance according to  claim 7  wherein the air duct is provided in the upper compartment. 
     
     
         10 . A heating appliance according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the air duct is arranged for directing air from the air inlet down through the upper compartment to the lower compartment;   air passing into the housing for the air heating system is directed to pass through an air filter before entering the lower compartment; and   the air filter is arranged between the upper and lower compartments.   
     
     
         11 . A heating appliance according to  claim 10  wherein the housing defines an intermediate chamber between the upper and lower chambers, and the air filter is located in the intermediate chamber. 
     
     
         12 . A heating appliance according to  claim 10  wherein the air filter is mounted in a movable cassette or drawer on the housing, movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing. 
     
     
         13 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1  wherein the heat source and first heat exchanger comprises a gas-fired condensing heat exchanger unit. 
     
     
         14 . A heating appliance according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the gas-fired condensing heat exchanger unit is mounted in an upper compartment of the housing;   the air-to-water heat exchanger is mounted in a lower compartment of the housing; and   the lower compartment of the housing comprises a condensate trap for receiving condensate from the gas-fired condensing heat exchanger unit in the upper compartment.   
     
     
         15 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heat source is a fuel-fired heat source;   the housing comprises a flue terminal for connection to a flue for expelling combustion gases; and   the flue terminal is arranged in the roof of the housing.   
     
     
         16 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface comprising controls for the appliance, wherein the user interface is mounted in the upper compartment. 
     
     
         17 . A heating appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the water-to-air heat exchanger comprises:
 a box for receiving air to be heated; and   a plurality of water conduits for passing the working fluid through the box.   
     
     
         18 . A heating appliance, comprising:
 a housing for a water heating system and an air heating system, wherein the water heating system is mounted in the housing and comprises:
 a heat source; and 
 a first heat exchanger for transferring heat to a working fluid passing through the housing, 
   wherein the air heating system is mounted in the housing and comprises a water-to-air heat exchanger in communication with the working fluid and a source of air for heating air using the working fluid,   wherein the housing comprises an air inlet to allow air to pass into housing for supply to the air heating system,   wherein the air inlet is provided in the roof of the housing,   wherein an air duct is arranged in communication with the air inlet,   wherein the air duct is configured to guide incoming air downwards to a location below the heat source and/or the first heat exchanger, and   wherein the first heat exchanger is mounted on the air duct.