Water Heating System

Abstract

A water heating system includes an enclosure having a thermally-insulated top and a plurality of thermally-insulated walls, the enclosure being at least substantially open at a bottom of the enclosure and adapted for mounting above an opening in a roof of a building. The water heating system also includes a water heater mounted within an interior of the enclosure.

Claims what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water heating system comprising:
 an enclosure having a thermally-insulated top and a plurality of thermally-insulated walls, the enclosure being at least substantially open at a bottom of the enclosure and adapted for mounting above an opening in a roof of a building; and   a water heater mounted within an interior of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is adapted for mounting on a roof curb above the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure includes a vent opening in the top or a wall thereof, the vent opening extending between the interior and an exterior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The water heating system of  claim 3 , further comprising a vent conduit coupled to a combustion gas vent of the water heater and protruding through the vent opening. 
     
     
         5 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally-insulated walls each comprise a metal interior surface and a metal exterior surface with thermal insulation disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The water heating system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plurality of thermally-insulated wall includes a structural support on which the at least one water heater is mounted. 
     
     
         7 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the water heater is a tankless water heater. 
     
     
         8 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure has no bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second tankless water heater mounted within the interior of the enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The water heating system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the tankless water heater has a first cold water inlet;   the second tankless water heater has a second cold water inlet; and   the first cold water inlet is coupled to the second cold water inlet.   
     
     
         11 . The water heating system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the tankless water heater has a first hot water outlet;   the second tankless water heater has a second hot water outlet; and   the first hot water outlet is coupled to the second hot water outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The water heating system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally-insulated door disposed in one of the plurality of thermally-insulated walls. 
     
     
         13 . A water heating system comprising:
 an enclosure having a thermally-insulated top and a plurality of thermally-insulated walls, the enclosure substantially open at a bottom of the enclosure; and   a tankless water heater mounted within an interior of the enclosure;   wherein the enclosure is mounted above an opening in a roof of a building.   
     
     
         14 . The water heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the tankless water heater is specified for use in the interior of a heated building and not specified for use other than in the interior of a heated building. 
     
     
         15 . The water heating system of  claim 13 , wherein the tankless water heater is not specified for operating at ambient temperatures below − 4  degrees C. 
     
     
         16 . The water heating system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of thermally-insulated walls has a thermal insulation rating of R- 13  or higher. 
     
     
         17 . The water heating system of  claim 16 , wherein the tankless water heater is plumbed through the opening into a plumbing system of the building. 
     
     
         18 . The water heating system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the bottom of the enclosure is sufficiently open, and the walls of the enclosure sufficiently insulated, that an ambient temperature inside the enclosure is above a minimum specified operating temperature of the tankless water heater when an outdoor temperature outside the enclosure is below the minimum specified operating temperature and the interior of the building is heated to or above 20° C.   
     
     
         19 . A method for installing a water heating system comprising: 
     
     
         1 . g the water heating system of claim  1  above the opening; and
 plumbing the water heating system through the opening into a plumbing system of the building. 
 
     
     
         20 . A water heating system comprising:
 an enclosure having a thermally-insulated top and a plurality of thermally-insulated walls, the enclosure being at least substantially open at a bottom of the enclosure and adapted for mounting above an opening in a roof of a building;   an instantaneous water heater mounted within an interior of the enclosure;   wherein the thermally-insulated walls each comprise a metal interior surface and a metal exterior surface with thermal insulation disposed therebetween;   wherein at least one of the plurality of thermally-insulated walls includes a structural support on which the instantaneous water heater is mounted;   wherein the enclosure is adapted for mounting on a roof curb above the opening;   wherein the enclosure includes a vent opening in the top or a wall thereof, the vent opening extending between the interior and an exterior of the enclosure; and   wherein the water heating system further comprises a vent conduit coupled to a combustion gas vent of the water heater and protruding through the vent opening.