Abstract:
A water heater control modifies a temperature differential setting in a hot water heater according to elapsed time between calls for heat. This allows the temperature setting of the hot water heater to remain low, which reduces the risk of scalding, yet allows the hot water heater to deliver hot water consistently. For example, a hot water heater temperature setting is 120. degree. F. and the temperature differential is normally set to 20. degree. F. After six hours without a call for heat, during which time period the water in the tank has destratified, the water heater control could set the differential to 15. degree. F. , which would cause a call for heat when the water temperature drops to 105. degree. F. Once a call for heat is generated, the temperature differential can be set back to 20. degree. F. Thus, water stratification is reduced because a wide temperature differential is maintained during periods when there are repeated calls for heat, but cool water is avoided because the differential is narrowed during periods of inactivity.