Water heater for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings

Abstract

A water heater and a method for heating water using various power sources and enhancing energy savings are disclosed. The water heater includes a first heating element within an inlet pipe. The first heating element draws energy from a first power source to heat water to a first temperature. The water heater further includes a second heating element within an outlet pipe. The second heating element draws power from a second power source to heat water from the first temperature to a second temperature. Optionally, when the second power source is unavailable or insufficient, then the second heating element draws power from a third power source to heat water from the first temperature to the second temperature.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A water heater, comprising:
 a housing, comprising:
 an inlet pipe positioned within said housing for receiving water; 
 a first heating element positioned in said inlet pipe, wherein said first heating element heats the water to a first temperature, and wherein said first heating element is powered by a first power source; 
 an outlet pipe positioned within said housing and operatively connecting said inlet pipe, wherein said outlet pipe discharges the water; and 
 a second heating element positioned within said outlet pipe, wherein said second heating element further heats the water from said first temperature to a second temperature, wherein said second heating element is powered by a second power source, and wherein said second power source is different from said first power source; and 
   a controller operatively connecting said first heating element and said second heating element, and wherein said controller determines the energy needed from said second power source to maintain heat of the water at said second temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said first heating element heats the water to said first temperature of 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         3 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said second heating element heats the water to said second temperature of 125 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         4 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said first power source comprises an alternating current (AC) power source or direct current (DC) power source. 
     
     
         5 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said second power source comprises a renewable energy source. 
     
     
         6 . The water heater of  claim 1 , further comprises:
 an outlet line positioned outside of said housing; and   a third heating element positioned within said outlet line, wherein said third heating element positions between a pressure relief valve and a drain valve, and wherein said third heating element installs at the bottom of the outside of said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe and allows the hot water to flow upward to maintain the temperature of the water at said second temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The water heater of  claim 6 , wherein the third pipe is insulated to reduce heat loss. 
     
     
         8 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said first heating element has a first flow path created by first slots at said inlet pipe for heating the water around said first heating element. 
     
     
         9 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said second heating element has a second flow path created by second slots at said outlet pipe for heating the water around said second heating element. 
     
     
         10 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said first heating element is powered by said first power source via a first power wire. 
     
     
         11 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said second heating element is powered by said second power source via a second power wire. 
     
     
         12 . The water heater of  claim 1 , further comprises a heat exchanger having a return line connected to said housing via a duct for recovery of the heat from the discharged water. 
     
     
         13 . The water heater of  claim 1 , further comprises a third power source, wherein said third power source powers said second heating element when the second power source is unavailable. 
     
     
         14 . The water heater of  claim 1 , wherein said third power source comprises batteries. 
     
     
         15 . A water heater, comprising:
 a housing, comprising:
 an inlet pipe positioned within said housing for receiving water; 
 a first heating element positioned in said inlet pipe, wherein said first heating element heats the water to a first temperature, and wherein said first heating element is powered by a first power source; 
 an outlet pipe positioned within said housing and operatively connecting said inlet pipe, wherein said outlet pipe discharges the water; and 
 a second heating element positioned within said outlet pipe, wherein said second heating element further heats the water from said first temperature to a second temperature, wherein said second heating element is powered by a second power source or a third power source, wherein each of said second power source and said third power source is different from said first power source, and wherein said third power source powers said second heating element when the second power source is unavailable; and 
   a controller operatively connecting said first heating element and said second heating element, wherein said controller determines the energy needed from said second power source or said third power source to maintain heat of the water at said second temperature.   
     
     
         16 . The water heater of  claim 15 , wherein said first heating element heats the water to said first temperature of 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and wherein said second heating element heats the water to said second temperature of 125 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         17 . The water heater of  claim 15 , wherein said first power source comprises an alternating current (AC) power source or direct current (DC) power source, wherein said second power source comprises a renewable energy source, and wherein said third power source comprises batteries. 
     
     
         18 . The water heater of  claim 15 , further comprises:
 an outlet line positioned outside of said housing; and   a third heating element positioned within said outlet line, wherein said third heating element positions between a pressure relief valve and a drain valve, and wherein said third heating element installs at the bottom of the outside of said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe and allows the hot water to flow upward to maintain the temperature of the water at said second temperature.   
     
     
         19 . A method of heating water in a water heater, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a housing having an inlet pipe, said inlet pipe configured for receiving water;   providing a first heating element positioned in said inlet pipe, said first heating element heating the water to a first temperature, said first heating element being powered by a first power source;   providing an outlet pipe positioned within said housing and operatively connecting said inlet pipe, said outlet pipe configured for discharging the water;   providing a second heating element positioned within said outlet pipe, said second heating element configured for further heating the water from said first temperature to a second temperature, said second heating element being powered by a second power source, said second power source being different from said first power source; and   operating said first heating element and said second heating element such that the energy needed from said second power source is maintained to heat the water at said second temperature.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising heating the water between 40 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit using said first heating element, and heating the water between 125 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit using said second heating element.