Patent ID: 7432477
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: F24D,Y02B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of disabling a power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater during set-back periods of a programmable thermostat, said method comprising steps of: programming a set-back mode for a predetermined time period on said programmable thermostat; activating said set-back mode at the start of said set-back time period; sending a control signal to a relay means; disengaging a relay contact at said relay means so as to interrupt electric power to said water heater; wherein said power-vented fossil fuel powered water heater comprises a ventilation fan, a fossil fuel powered heating means and an interlock means operable to disable said heating means when said ventilation fan is inactive, and wherein said step of disengaging a relay contact comprises a step of interrupting electric power to said ventilation fan, said method further comprising a step of said interlock means disabling said heating means, responsive to said step of interrupting power to said ventilation fan.