Patent Publication Number: US-2021190372-A1

Title: Systems And Methods For Managing Temperature Control Of Bodies Of Water

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to managing bodies of water, and more particularly to systems, methods, and devices for providing information about and management of temperature control of bodies of water (e.g., swimming pools, spas, fountains). 
     BACKGROUND 
     The heat up duration of a spa, swimming pool, or other controlled body of water varies, depending on a number of factors (e.g., heating capacity, the volume/mass of water). This process of heating such a body of water can be quite long and expensive. Also, oftentimes when heating such a body of water is occurring, little to no effort is made to optimize the use of the equipment involved in the process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, in one aspect, the disclosure relates to a heating system of a managed fluid system. The heating system can include a heat exchanger and a first temperature sensor device that is configured to measure an inlet temperature of a fluid flowing into the heat exchanger. The heating system can also include a second temperature sensor device that is configured to measure an outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of the heat exchanger. The heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the first temperature sensor device and the second temperature sensor device. The controller can be configured to receive a plurality of inlet temperature measurements made by the first temperature sensor device. The controller can also be configured to receive a plurality of outlet temperature measurements made by the second temperature sensor device. The controller can further be configured to evaluate the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements using at least one lookup table and at least one algorithm. The controller can also be configured to determine, based on evaluating the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements, an input rate of fuel used to heat the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. 
     In another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to a controller for a heating system of a managed fluid system, where the controller includes a control engine. The control engine can be configured to receive a plurality of inlet temperature measurements made by a first temperature sensor device, where the first temperature sensor device is configured to measure the plurality of inlet temperatures of a fluid flowing into a heat exchanger of the heating system. The control engine can also be configured to receive a plurality of outlet temperature measurements made by a second temperature sensor device, where the second temperature sensor device is configured to measure the plurality of outlet temperatures of the fluid flowing out of the heat exchanger of the heating system. The control engine can further be configured to evaluate the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements using at least one lookup table and at least one algorithm. The control engine can also be configured to determine, based on evaluating the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements, an input rate of fuel used to heat the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. 
     In yet another aspect, the disclosure can generally relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a hardware processor, perform a method for managing a heating system of a managed fluid system. The method can include receiving a plurality of inlet temperature measurements made by a first temperature sensor device, where the first temperature sensor device is configured to measure the plurality of inlet temperatures of a fluid flowing into a heat exchanger of the heating system. The method can also include receiving a plurality of outlet temperature measurements made by a second temperature sensor device, where the second temperature sensor device is configured to measure the plurality of outlet temperatures of the fluid flowing out of the heat exchanger of the heating system. The method can further include evaluating the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements using at least one lookup table and at least one algorithm. The method can also include determining, based on evaluating the plurality of inlet temperature measurements and the plurality of outlet temperature measurements, an input rate of fuel used to heat the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger. 
     These and other aspects, objects, features, and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate only example embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope, as the example embodiments may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, reference numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show diagrams of a system that includes a swimming pool and a controller in accordance with certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  shows a computing device in accordance with certain example embodiments. 
         FIGS. 3A through 3D  show various views of a heating system in accordance with certain example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  shows a graph of data related to performance of a heating system in accordance with certain example embodiments. 
         FIGS. 5 through 13  each show a diagram of a different mode of operation for the heating system of  FIGS. 3A through 3D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, example embodiments provide systems, methods, and devices for determining information about and enabling the management of temperature control of a swimming pool, a spa, and/or some other controlled body of water. Example embodiments can be used for any size (e.g., capacity) of a controlled body of water. Further, example embodiments can be used with a controlled body of water for any application (e.g., commercial, residential, industrial). A controlled body of water can be used for any of a number of purposes, including but not limited to recreation, sustaining life, and commercial production. In addition, example embodiments can be used with any type of heating system, including but not limited to electric heaters, gas heaters, geothermal heaters, and heat pump heaters. 
     A controlled body of can refer to the application of heat, circulation, and/or some other process (e.g., chemical treatment) to a body of water. Example embodiments are used specifically for controlling the temperature of a controlled body of water. In some cases, particularly for commercial and industrial applications, example embodiments can be used for a liquid aside from water. In other words, example embodiments can be used to manage the temperature of non-water liquids. 
     Example embodiments can make a number of determinations with respect to controlling a temperature of a controlled body of water. For instance, example embodiments can determine how long it will take to heat a controlled body of water to a target temperature. As another example, example embodiments can determine the rate of fuel (e.g., natural gas) that flows to a heater in order to heat a controlled body of water at a particular rate. As yet another example, example embodiments can determine the cost of heating a controlled body of water. As still another example, example embodiments can provide advice as to whether the existing equipment (e.g., heater) is sufficient for servicing a controlled body of water. 
     Example embodiments can also take one or more actions to implement a recommendation based on conclusions reached by an example system. For instance, example embodiments can control one or more valves to control the flow of a fuel to the burner of a heaters to bring the water temperature of a controlled body of water to a particular temperature by a particular point in time in the most cost-effective manner. 
     Systems (or components thereof, including controllers) for temperature control for controlled bodies of water described herein can be made of one or more of a number of suitable materials to allow that system and/or other associated components of the system to meet certain standards and/or regulations while also maintaining durability in light of the one or more conditions under which the devices and/or other associated components of the system can be exposed. Examples of such materials can include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, fiberglass, glass, plastic, PVC, ceramic, and rubber. 
     Components of a system (or portions thereof) for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water described herein can be made from a single piece (as from a mold, injection mold, die cast, or extrusion process). In addition, or in the alternative, components of a system (or portions thereof) for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water can be made from multiple pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other. In such a case, the multiple pieces can be mechanically coupled to each other using one or more of a number of coupling methods, including but not limited to epoxy, welding, soldering, fastening devices, compression fittings, mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or more pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other can be coupled to each other in one or more of a number of ways, including but not limited to fixedly, hingedly, removeably, slidably, and threadably. 
     In the foregoing figures showing example embodiments of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water, one or more of the components shown may be omitted, repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly, example embodiments of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in any of the figures. For example, features shown in one or more figures or described with respect to one embodiment can be applied to another embodiment associated with a different figure or description. 
     In addition, if a component of a figure is described but not expressly shown or labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding component in another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for a corresponding component in another figure. Further, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in a figure herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean, unless expressly stated, that such embodiment is not capable of having such feature or component. For example, for purposes of present or future claims herein, a feature or component that is described as not being included in an example embodiment shown in one or more particular drawings is capable of being included in one or more claims that correspond to such one or more particular drawings herein. The numbering scheme for the various components in the figures herein is such that each component is a three-digit number, and corresponding components in other figures have the identical last two digits. 
     In some cases, example embodiments can be subject to meeting certain standards and/or requirements. Examples of entities that set and/or maintain such standards and/or requirements include, but are not limited to, the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Electric Code (NEC), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Underwriters&#39; Laboratories (UL), the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Use of example embodiments described herein meet (and/or allow a corresponding system or portion thereof to meet) such standards when required. 
     Example embodiments of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water are shown. Systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like, but not necessarily the same, elements (also sometimes called components) in the various figures are denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. 
     Terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, and “within” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation. Such terms are not meant to limit embodiments of systems and methods for controlling the temperature of controlled bodies of water. In the following detailed description of the example embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show diagrams of a system  100  that includes a managed water system  190  that is controlled (or at least monitored) by a controller  104  in accordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically,  FIG. 1A  shows the overall system  100  that includes the managed water system  190 , and  FIG. 1B  shows a detailed system diagram of the controller  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the system  100  can include the managed water system  190 , the controller  104 , a power supply  135 , and one or more users  150 . The managed water system  190  includes a one or more bodies of water  180 , a circulation system  140 , and a heating system  170  that are connected to each other in a loop by a piping system  184 . The heating system  170  can generally be referred to as an ancillary system. Within the piping system  184  can be one or more sensors  151  (e.g., temperature sensors  158 , flow sensors  154 ) and one or more valves  152 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1B , the controller  104  can include one or more of a number of components. Such components, can include, but are not limited to, a control engine  106 , a communication module  108 , a timer  110 , an optional energy metering module  111 , a power module  112 , a storage repository  130 , a hardware processor  120 , a memory  122 , a transceiver  124 , an application interface  126 , and, optionally, a security module  128 . The components shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are not exhaustive, and in some embodiments, one or more of the components shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may not be included in an example system. Further, one or more components shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can be rearranged. For example, the controller  104  can be part of the heating system  170  of the managed water system  190 . Any component of the system  100  can be discrete or combined with one or more other components of the system  100 . 
     A user  150  may be any person or entity that interacts with the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof) and/or the controller  104 . Examples of a user  150  may include, but are not limited to, an engineer, an appliance or process that uses heated water, an electrician, an instrumentation and controls technician, a mechanic, an operator, a consultant, a pool maintenance operator, a pool/spa designer, a park management employee, an electric utility, a grid operator, a retail electric provider, an energy marketing company, load forecasting software, a weather forecasting service, a labor scheduling system, a contractor, a homeowner, a landlord, a government entity (e.g., a municipal parks and recreation department), a hotel manager, a building management company, and a manufacturer&#39;s representative. There can be one or multiple users  150  at any given time. 
     The user  150  can use and/or include a user system (also sometimes called a user device, not shown, but such as a smart phone or a laptop computer), which may include a display (e.g., a GUI). A user  150  can interact with (e.g., send data to, receive data from) the controller  104  via the application interface  126  (described below). A user  150  can also interact with the managed water system  190  (including any components thereof, such as one or more of the sensor devices  151 , the circulation system  140 , and the heating system  170 ) and/or the power supply  135 . Interaction between a user  150 , the controller  104 , the managed water system  190 , and the power supply  135  can be conducted using signal transfer links  105  and/or power transfer links  185 . 
     Each signal transfer link  105  and each power transfer link  185  can include wired (e.g., Class  1  electrical cables, Class  2  electrical cables, electrical connectors, electrical conductors, electrical traces on a circuit board, power line carrier, DALI, RS485) and/or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, visible light communication, Zigbee, mobile apps, text/email messages, cellular networking, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WirelessHART, ISA100) technology. For example, a signal transfer link  105  can be (or include) one or more electrical conductors that are coupled to the controller  104  and to a sensor device  151  of the managed water system  190 . A signal transfer link  105  can transmit signals (e.g., communication signals, control signals, data) between the controller  104 , a user  150  (including an associated user device), the managed water system  190  (including components thereof), and/or the power supply  135 . 
     Similarly, a power transfer link  185  can transmit power between the controller  104 , a user  150  (including an associated user device), the managed water system  190  (including components thereof), and/or the power supply  135 . One or more signal transfer links  105  and/or one or more power transfer links  185  can also transmit signals and power, respectively, between components (e.g., temperature sensor  158 , flow sensor  154 , heating system  170 ) within the managed water system  190  and/or within the controller  104 . 
     The power supply  135  provides power, directly or indirectly, to one or more components (e.g., the sensor devices  151 , the controller  104 , the heating system  170 , a user system of a user  150 ) of the system  100 . The power supply  135  can include one or more components (e.g., a transformer, a fuse) that receives power (for example, through an electrical cable) from an independent power source external to the heating system  100  and generates power of a type (e.g., AC, DC) and level (e.g., 240V, 120V) that can be used by one or more components of the system  100 . For example, the power supply  135  can provide 240 VAC power to the heating system  170  of the managed water system  190 . In addition, or in the alternative, the power supply  135  can be or include a source of power in itself. For example, the power supply  135  can be or include a battery, a localized photovoltaic power system, or some other source of independent power. 
     The managed water system  190  is a system having one or more components that manage, in at least one way, a body of water  180  that is at least partially contained in a vessel  119 . Ways in which the body of water  180  can be managed can include, but are not limited to, circulating the body of water  180 , measuring a parameter (e.g., temperature, flow rate) of the body of water  180 , and heating the body of water  180 . The managed water system  190  includes multiple components. For example, as stated above, the managed water system  190  of the system  100  of  FIG. 1A  includes one or more sensor devices  151  (e.g., temperature sensors  158 , flow sensors  154 ), one or more valves  152 , one or more bodies of water  180 , a vessel  119 , a piping system  184 , a circulation system  140 , and the heating system  170 . The managed water system  190  (including portions thereof) can be indoors, outdoors, or some combination thereof. Similarly, the managed water system  190  (including portions thereof) can be visible (e.g., above ground), hidden (e.g., buried underground), or some combination thereof. As discussed above, the managed water system  190  can include one or more bodies of water  180 . (When there are multiple bodies of water  180  or multiple parts of a body of water  180 , the collective group can be called a single body of water  180  herein.) 
     A body of water  180  has a vessel  119  that is used to hold most, if not all, of the water. The vessel  119  of each body of water  180  can have any of a number of characteristics (e.g., shape, depth, width, curvature). The vessel  119  can be located in-ground and/or above ground. The vessel  119  can be open-ended at the top or substantially covered to enclose the water therein. The vessel  119  can be made of one or more of a number of materials, including but not limited to cement, plaster, steel, fiberglass, stone, brick, clay, rubber, glass, and plastic. Examples of a vessel  119  can include, but are not limited to, a swimming pool, a spa, a fountain, a retention pond, a water treatment tank, a fish tank, an aquarium, a water reuse tank, a fish stocking pond, and a water storage tank. 
     If there are multiple bodies of water  180  in the managed water system  190 , the bodies of water  180  can be isolated from each other. In addition, or in the alternative, one body of water  180  in the managed water system  190  can somehow be tied to at least one other body of water  180  in the managed water system  190 . For example, one body of water  180  of a managed water system  190  can be a swimming pool, while another body of water  180  of the managed water system  190  can be an elevated spa whose excess water can flow into the swimming pool. 
     The circulation system  140  includes one or more of a number of components that are used to send water to and remove water from the one or more vessels  119  holding the bodies of water  180 . Examples of such components can include, but are not limited to, a motor (e.g., variable speed, constant speed), a pump, a check valve, and a filter basket. The circulation system  140  works in conjunction with the piping system  184 , which includes a number of pipe segments that are connected with each other to form a path for water to flow therethrough. A pipe segment of the piping system  184  can be a linear tube segment, a curved tube segment, an elbow, a junction (e.g., T-junction, Y-junction), or any other suitable component that can be used to facilitate the flow of water therethrough. 
     The heating system  170  includes one or more components that are used to heat water that flows through the piping system  184  using the circulation system  140 . For example, the heating system  170  can include one or more heaters, where such heaters can be a gas-fired heater, an electric heater, a heat pump, a geothermal heater, and a solar thermal heater. The heater of a heating system  170  in some cases can include a burner, a heat exchanger, and a controller (e.g., controller  104 ), where the controller controls, for example, a valve to regulate the amount of fuel (e.g., natural gas) that feeds a burner, which in turns outputs heat used to raise the temperature of water flowing through the heating system  170 . An example of a heating system  170  is included below with respect to  FIGS. 3A through 3C . 
     As discussed above, the managed water system  190  can include one or more valves  152  and one or more sensor devices  151  (e.g., temperature sensors  158 , flow sensors  154 ). Each of the sensor devices  151  (also sometimes referred to herein as sensors  151 ) can measure one or more of a number of parameters. Examples of types of sensors  151  can include, but are not limited to, temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, a scale, a voltmeter, an ammeter, a power meter, an ohmmeter, and an electric power meter. A sensor  151  can also include one or more components and/or devices (e.g., a potential transformer, a current transformer, electrical wiring) related to the measurement of a parameter. 
     A parameter that can be measured by a sensor  151  can include, but is not limited to, pressure, flow rate, current, voltage, power, resistance, weight, volume, and temperature. In certain example embodiments, the parameter or parameters measured by a sensor  151  can be used by the controller  104  to control the temperature of a heater of the heating system  170 . Each sensor  151  can use one or more of a number of communication protocols. A sensor  151  can be a stand-alone device or integrated with another component (e.g., a valve  152 , the heating system  170 ) in the system  100 . A sensor  151  can measure a parameter continuously, periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, based on a command received from the control engine  106  of the controller  104 , and/or based on some other factor. 
     Each valve  152  of the managed water system  190  can be any type of valve. Examples of types of valves can include, but are not limited to, a gate valve, a ball valve, a butterfly valve, and a diaphragm valve. A valve can be controlled manually (e.g., adjusted by a user  150 ) or automatically (e.g., by the controller  104 ). A valve can have a number of discrete positions or a range of continuous positions. A valve can any range (e.g., 90°, 180°) of operation. A valve  152  can be used to control the flow of any of a number of fluids (e.g., water, natural gas, propane). A valve  152  can be integrated with the piping system  184 . 
     Each of the various valves  152  and sensor devices  151  can be located at any point in the managed water system  190 . For example, one or more valves  152  can be disposed between the circulation system  140  and the heating system  170  to control the flow of water in the piping system  184  through the heating system  170 . Similarly, one or more valves  152  can be disposed before or within the vessel  119  to control the flow of water in the piping system  184  through the vessel  119 . In some cases, this can include bypassing a part (e.g., a swimming pool in favor of a spa) of the body of water  180  altogether. Alternatively, one or more valves  152  can be disposed within the heating system  170  to control the flow of a fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane) that burns at the burner of the heating system  170  to generate the heat used to raise the temperature of the body of water  180 . 
     The heating system  170  of the water heater  190  can include one or more devices (or components thereof) that consume energy (e.g., electricity, natural gas, propane) during operation. An example of such a device or component of the heating system  170  can include, but are not limited to, heating elements, a burner, a heat exchanger, an inducer, and a blower. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the heating system  170  can have any of a number of configurations. In any case, the controller  104  can be aware of the devices, components, ratings, positioning, and any other relevant information regarding the heating system  170 . 
     In some cases, one or more devices of the heating system  170  can have its own local controller. In such a case, the controller  104  can communicate with the local controller of the heating system  170  using signal transfer links  105  and/or power transfer links  185 . In any case, a controller (e.g., controller  104 ) can be used to control the temperature that the heating system  170  (including its various components such as a heater) can output to heat the body of water  180  flowing through the heating system  170 . 
     A user  150  (including an associated user device), the power supply  135 , and/or the managed water system  190  (including portions thereof, such as sensors  151 ) can interact with the controller  104  using the application interface  126  in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Specifically, the application interface  126  of the controller  104  receives data (e.g., information, communications, instructions, updates to firmware) from and sends data (e.g., information, communications, instructions) to a user  150  (including an associated user device), the power supply  135 , and/or the managed water system  190 . The users  150  (including associated user devices), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (including portions thereof) can include an interface to receive data from and send data to the controller  104  in certain example embodiments. Examples of such an interface can include, but are not limited to, a graphical user interface, a touchscreen, an application programming interface, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, a web service, a data protocol adapter, some other hardware and/or software, or any suitable combination thereof. For example, referring to  FIG. 2  below, the controller  104  can include a user interface having one or more of a number of I/O devices  216  (e.g., buzzer, alarm, indicating light, pushbutton). 
     The controller  104 , a user  150 , the power supply  135 , and/or the managed water system  190  can use their own system or share a system in certain example embodiments. Such a system can be, or contain a form of, an Internet-based or an intranet-based computer system that is capable of communicating with various software. A computer system includes any type of computing device and/or communication device, including but not limited to the controller  104 . Examples of such a system can include, but are not limited to, a desktop computer with Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Internet or intranet access, a laptop computer with LAN, WAN, Internet or intranet access, a smart phone, a server, a server farm, an android device (or equivalent), a tablet, smartphones, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). Such a system can correspond to a computer system as described below with regard to  FIG. 2 . 
     Further, as discussed above, such a system can have corresponding software (e.g., user software). The software can execute on the same or a separate device (e.g., a server, mainframe, desktop personal computer (PC), laptop, PDA, television, cable box, satellite box, kiosk, telephone, mobile phone, or other computing devices) and can be coupled by the communication network (e.g., Internet, Intranet, Extranet, LAN, WAN, or other network communication methods) and/or communication channels, with wire and/or wireless segments according to some example embodiments. The software of one system can be a part of, or operate separately but in conjunction with, the software of another system within the system  100 . 
     The controller  104  can be a stand-alone device or integrated with another component (e.g., the managed water system  190 ) in the system  100 . When the controller  104  is a stand-alone device, the controller  104  can include a housing. In such a case, the housing can include at least one wall that forms a cavity. In some cases, the housing can be designed to comply with any applicable standards so that the controller  104  can be located in a particular environment (e.g., a hazardous environment, a high temperature environment, a high humidity environment). 
     The housing of the controller  104  can be used to house one or more components of the controller  104 . For example, the controller  104  (which in this case includes the control engine  106 , the communication module  108 , the timer  110 , the optional energy metering module  111 , the power module  112 , the storage repository  130 , the hardware processor  120 , the memory  122 , the transceiver  124 , the application interface  126 , and the optional security module  128 ) can be disposed in a cavity formed by a housing. In alternative embodiments, any one or more of these or other components of the controller  104  can be disposed on such a housing and/or remotely from such a housing. 
     The storage repository  130  can be a persistent storage device (or set of devices) that stores software and data used to assist the controller  104  in communicating with a user  150  (including an associated user device), the power supply  135 , and managed water system  190  (including components thereof) within the system  100 . In one or more example embodiments, the storage repository  130  stores one or more protocols  132 , one or more algorithms  133 , and stored data  134 . The protocols  132  can be any procedures (e.g., a series of method steps) and/or other similar operational procedures that the control engine  106  of the controller  104  follows based on certain conditions at a point in time. The protocols  132  can include any of a number of communication protocols  132  that are used to send and/or receive data between the controller  104  and a user  150 , the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190 . 
     A protocol  132  can be used for wired and/or wireless communication. Examples of a protocol  132  can include, but are not limited to, Econet, Modbus, profibus, Ethernet, and fiberoptic. One or more of the communication protocols  132  can be a time-synchronized protocol. Examples of such time-synchronized protocols can include, but are not limited to, a highway addressable remote transducer (HART) protocol, a wireless HART protocol, and an International Society of Automation (ISA) 100 protocol. In this way, one or more of the communication protocols  132  can provide a layer of security to the data transferred within the system  100 . 
     The algorithms  133  can be any formulas, mathematical models, and/or other suitable means of manipulating and/or processing data. One or more algorithms  133  can be used in conjunction with one or more particular protocols  132 . As discussed above, the controller  104  uses information (e.g., temperature measurements) provided by the sensor devices  151  (e.g., one or more temperature sensors  158 , one or more flow sensors  154 ) to generate, using one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133 , information related to controlling the temperature or amount of heat applied by the heating system  170  to the body of water  180 . 
     For example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can dictate when a measurement is taken by a sensor device  151  and which particular sensor devices  151  take a measurement at that point in time. As another example, a protocol  132  and/or an algorithm  133  can be used, in conjunction with measurements made by one or more sensor devices  151 , by the controller  104  to determine an actual amount of heat generated by a heater of the heating system  170 , which in turn can allow the controller  104  to determine how effectively the heat is being applied to heat one or more of the bodies of water  180 . This determination can be performed by the controller  104  on demand (in response to a one-time request from a user  150 ). 
     Alternatively, this determination can be performed proactively by using one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133 . For example, if a user  150  requests that the temperature of the body of water  180  be at 85° F. (a target temperature) by 2:00 that afternoon, the controller  104  can determine when and how to operate the heating system  170  (e.g., adjust the flow of fuel to the burner of the heating system  170 ) in order to have the temperature of the body of water  180  reach 85° F. by 2:00 that afternoon. The determination in this case can be based on one or more of a number of factors, including but not limited to the temperature of the water flowing into the heater of the heating system  170 , the temperature of the water flowing out of the heater of the heating system  170 , the flow rate of the fuel feeding the burner of the heating system  170 , the ambient temperature where the body of water  180  is located, the forecast of the ambient temperature over time leading up to 2:00 that afternoon, and a target energy (e.g., fuel) cost to get the water to the target temperature. The one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can account for these factors. 
     As yet another example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to determine how much it will cost (e.g., for electricity, for natural gas, in total) to operate the heating system  170  (or components thereof) to get the temperature of the water in one or more of the bodies of water  180  to a particular target temperature. One or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can also be used to improve maintenance and performance of the managed water system  190 . For example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to operate the heating system  170  in such a way that has minimal impact on the equipment of the heating system  170 . As another example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to operate the heating system  170  in such a way as to result in the least cost to achieve the target temperature of the body of water  180 . 
     One or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to determine if a component (e.g., a temperature sensor  158  of the heating system  170 , a valve  152  controlling the flow of fuel for the heating system  170 ) of the managed water system  190  is failing or has failed. In some cases, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to perform an assessment of the existing equipment of the heating system  170  to determine if improvements can be made. For example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to suggest, assess, and quantify savings (e.g., in electricity, in fuel) that can be realized by replacing a standard heater with a low NOx heater. As another example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to suggest, assess, and quantify some other alteration (e.g., add a heater) to the heating system  170 . 
     One or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to establish and maintain one or more lookup tables that are stored in the storage repository  130  as stored data  134 . A lookup table is a table that the control engine  106  of the controller  104 , following one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133 , and based on one or more measurements made by one or more sensor devices  151  (e.g., temperature sensors  158 ), uses to determine how one or more components (e.g., a valve  152 ) of the heating system  170  should be controlled. Examples of lookup tables are shown below. 
     In certain example embodiments, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be modified. Such modifications can be based on, for example, actual data, input from a user  150  (including an associated user system), information received by the controller  104  regarding other similar managed water systems, addition of equipment (e.g., motors, sensor devices  151 , heaters for the heating system  170 , burner for a heater of the heating system  170 ), modification to existing equipment of the managed water system  190 , reconfiguration of the piping system  184 , and/or data from other similarly-configured managed water systems  190  (including portions thereof, such as heating system  170 ). Such modifications to the protocols  132  and/or the algorithms  133  can be made in real time (e.g., by the controller  104 ). 
     Stored data  134  can be any data associated with the system  100  (including any components thereof), any measurements taken by the sensor devices  151 , time measured by the timer  110 , adjustments to an algorithm  133 , threshold values, set point values, user preferences, default values, lookup tables, results of previously run or calculated algorithms  133 , and/or any other suitable data. Such data can be any type of data, including but not limited to historical data for the system  100  (including any components thereof, such as the sensor devices  151  and the heating system  170 ), present data (e.g., calculations, adjustments made to calculations based on actual data, measurements taken by one or more sensor devices  151 ), and forecasts. The stored data  134  can be associated with some measurement of time derived, for example, from the timer  110 . 
     Examples of a storage repository  130  can include, but are not limited to, a database (or a number of databases), a file system, a hard drive, flash memory, cloud-based storage, some other form of solid state data storage, or any suitable combination thereof. The storage repository  130  can be located on multiple physical machines, each storing all or a portion of the protocols  132 , the algorithms  133 , and/or the stored data  134  according to some example embodiments. Each storage unit or device can be physically located in the same or in a different geographic location. Some or all of the storage repository  130  can use a cloud-based platform and/or technology. 
     The storage repository  130  can be operatively connected to the control engine  106  of the controller  104 . In one or more example embodiments, the control engine  106  includes functionality to communicate with the users  150  (including associated user systems), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (including components thereof) in the system  100 . More specifically, the control engine  106  sends information to and/or receives information from the storage repository  130  in order to communicate with the users  150  (including associated user systems), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190 . As discussed below, the storage repository  130  can also be operatively connected to the communication module  108  in certain example embodiments. 
     In certain example embodiments, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  controls the operation of one or more components (e.g., the communication module  108 , the timer  110 , the transceiver  124 ) of the controller  104 . For example, the control engine  106  can activate the communication module  108  when the communication module  108  is in “sleep” mode and when the communication module  108  is needed to send data received from another component (e.g., a sensor device  151 , a user  150 ) in the system  100 . 
     As another example, the control engine  106  can acquire the current time using the timer  110 . The timer  110  can enable the controller  104  to control the heating system  170  (including any components thereof). As yet another example, the control engine  106  can direct a sensor device  151  (e.g., temperature sensor  158 ) to measure a parameter (e.g., temperature) and send the measurement by reply to the control engine  106 . 
     The control engine  106  can be configured to perform a number of functions that control the amount of heat generated by the heating system  170  that is applied to the water in one or more bodies of water  180  of the managed water system  190  as the water flows through the heating system  170 . For example, the control engine  106  can execute any of the protocols  132  and/or algorithms  133  stored in the storage repository  130  and use the results of those protocols  132  and/or algorithms  133  to change the position of a valve  152  that controls the amount of fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane) that flows to a burner of the heating system  170 . This determination can be performed by the control engine  106  while the body of water  180  is being heated by the heating system  170  or in anticipation of beginning the process of heating the body of water  180  by the heating system  170 . 
     Alternatively, this determination can be performed proactively by the control engine  106  of the controller  104 . For example, if a user  150  requests that the temperature of the water of the body of water  180  be at 85° F. (a target temperature) by 6:00 that evening, the controller  104  can determine when and how to operate the heating system  170  (e.g., adjust the flow of fuel to the burner of the heating system  170 ) in order to have the temperature of the body of water  180  reach 85° F. by 6:00 that evening. The determination in this case can be based on one or more of a number of factors, including but not limited to the temperature of the water flowing into the heater of the heating system  170 , the temperature of the water flowing out of the heater of the heating system  170 , the flow rate of the fuel feeding the burner of the heating system  170 , the ambient temperature where the body of water  180  is located, the forecast of the ambient temperature over time leading up to 6:00 that evening, and a target energy (e.g., natural gas, electricity) cost to get the water to the target temperature. 
     In certain example embodiments, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can use one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  to determine how much it will cost (e.g., for electricity, for natural gas, in total) to operate the heating system  170  (or components thereof) to get the temperature of the water in one or more of the bodies of water  180  to a particular target temperature. The control engine  106  of the controller  104  can also be used to improve maintenance and performance of the managed water system  190 . For example, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can use a protocol  132  and/or an algorithm  133  to operate the heating system  170  in such a way that has minimal impact on the equipment of the heating system  170 . As another example, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to operate the heating system  170  in such a way as to result in the least cost to achieve the target temperature of the body of water  180 . 
     The control engine  106  of the controller  104  can further use a protocol  132  and/or an algorithm  133  to determine if a component (e.g., a temperature sensor  158  of the heating system  170 , a valve  152  controlling the flow of fuel for the heating system  170 ) of the managed water system  190  is failing or has failed. In some cases, one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  can be used to perform an assessment of the existing equipment of the heating system  170 ) to determine if improvements can be made. For example, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can suggest, assess, and quantify savings (e.g., in electricity, in fuel) that can be realized by replacing a standard heater with a low NOx heater. As another example, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can suggest, assess, and quantify some other alteration (e.g., add a heater) to the heating system  170 . 
     The control engine  106  of the controller  104  can also use one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133  to establish and maintain one or more lookup tables that are stored in the storage repository  130  as stored data  134 . A lookup table is a table that the control engine  106  of the controller  104 , following one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133 , and based on one or more measurements made by one or more sensor devices  151  (e.g., temperature sensors  158 ), uses to determine how one or more components (e.g., a valve  152 ) of the heating system  170  should be controlled. 
     In certain example embodiments, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can make modifications to one or more of these protocols  132  and/or algorithms  133 . Such modifications can be based on, for example, actual data, input from a user  150 , information received by the control engine  106  of the controller  104  regarding other similar managed water systems, addition of equipment (e.g., motors, sensor devices  151 , heaters) and/or modification to existing equipment of the managed water system  190 , reconfiguration of the piping system  184 , and data from other similarly-configured managed water systems  190 . Such modifications to the protocols  132  and/or the algorithms  133  can be made in real time by the control engine  106  of the controller  104 . 
     The control engine  106  of the controller  104  can generate an alarm or some other form of communication when an operating parameter (e.g., temperature of a body of water  180 , speed of a pump motor in the circulation system  140 ) exceeds or falls below a threshold value (e.g., a set point value) (in other words, falls outside an acceptable range of values). The control engine  106  can also track measurements made by a sensor device  151  (e.g., temperature sensor  158 ) and determine a possible present or future failure of the sensor device  151  or some other component (e.g., a motor, a heating element) of the managed water system  190  (or portion thereof). 
     Using one or more algorithms  133 , the control engine  106  can predict the expected useful life of these components based on stored data  134 , a protocol  132 , one or more threshold values, and/or some other factor. The control engine  106  can also determine (e.g., using one or more sensors  151 ) and analyze the efficiency of the managed water system  190  over time. An alarm can be generated by the control engine  106  when the efficiency of a component of the system  100  falls below a threshold value, indicating failure of that component. In heating a body of water  180  to a desired temperature, the control engine  106  can control the heat output by the heating system  170 , which can include controlling one or more components (e.g., a valve  152 ) to get the water heated more efficiently, more expeditiously, more precisely, in a least-cost manner, and/or based on some other criteria. 
     The control engine  106  can perform its evaluation functions and resulting actions on a continuous basis, periodically, during certain time intervals, or randomly. Further, the control engine  106  can perform this evaluation for the present time or for a period of time in the future. For example, the control engine  106  can perform forecasts to determine the temperature of a body of water  180  after a specified period of time while operating the heating system  170  in a particular manner. The control engine  106  can adjust such a forecast (e.g., every hour, when new information from a user  150  or a sensor device  151  is received) periodically or based on some event (e.g., an instruction from a user  150 , heating the body of water  180  to a target temperature). 
     The control engine  106  can provide power, control, communication, and/or other similar signals to a user  150  (including an associated user system), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (including components thereof). Similarly, the control engine  106  can receive power, control, communication, and/or other similar signals from a user  150  (including an associated user system), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190 . The control engine  106  can control each sensor  151 , valve  152 , and/or other component in the managed water system  190  automatically (for example, based on one or more algorithms  133  and/or protocols  132  stored in the storage repository  130 ) and/or based on power, control, communication, and/or other similar signals received from another device through a signal transfer link  105  and/or a power transfer link  185 . The control engine  106  can also, in some cases, control the power supply  135 . The control engine  106  may include a printed circuit board, upon which the hardware processor  120  and/or one or more discrete components of the controller  104  are positioned. 
     In certain embodiments, the control engine  106  of the controller  104  can communicate with one or more components (e.g., a network manager) of a system external to the system  100 . For example, the control engine  106  can interact with an inventory management system by ordering a component (e.g., a sensor device  151 , a burner for the heating system  170 ) to replace a failed, failing, or diminished component, as determined by the control engine  106 . As another example, the control engine  106  can interact with a workforce scheduling system by scheduling a maintenance crew to repair or replace a component of the system  100  (e.g., a motor of the circulation system  140 ) when the control engine  106  determines that the component requires maintenance or replacement. 
     In certain example embodiments, the control engine  106  can include an interface that enables the control engine  106  to communicate with one or more components (e.g., a user  150 , the circulation system  140 ) of the system  100 . For example, if a user system of a user  150  operates under IEC Standard 62386, then the user system of the user  150  can have a serial communication interface that will transfer data (e.g., stored data  134 ) measured by the sensors  151 . In such a case, the control engine  106  can also include a serial interface to enable communication with the user system of the user  150 . Such an interface can operate in conjunction with, or independently of, the protocols  132  used to communicate between the controller  104  and a user  150  (including an associated user system), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or components thereof). 
     The control engine  106  (or other components of the controller  104 ) can also include one or more hardware components (e.g., peripherals) and/or software elements to perform its functions. Such components can include, but are not limited to, a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), an analog-to-digital converter, an inter-integrated circuit (I 2 C), and a pulse width modulator (PWM). 
     The communication module  108  of the controller  104  determines and implements the communication protocol (e.g., from the protocols  132  of the storage repository  130 ) that is used when the control engine  106  communicates with (e.g., sends signals to, receives signals from) a user  150  (including an associated user system), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or components thereof). In some cases, the communication module  108  accesses the stored data  134  to determine which communication protocol is used to communicate with a sensor  151  associated with certain stored data  134 . In addition, the communication module  108  can interpret the communication protocol of a communication received by the controller  104  so that the control engine  106  can interpret the communication. 
     The communication module  108  can send and receive data between the power supply  135 , the managed water system  190  (or components thereof), and/or the users  150  (including associated user systems) and the controller  104 . The communication module  108  can send and/or receive data in a given format that follows a particular protocol  132 . The control engine  106  can interpret the data packet received from the communication module  108  using the protocol  132  information stored in the storage repository  130 . The control engine  106  can also facilitate the data transfer between the managed water system  190  (or components thereof), the power supply  135 , and a user  150  (including an associated user system) by converting the data into a format understood by the communication module  108 . 
     The communication module  108  can send data (e.g., protocols  132 , algorithms  133 , stored data  134 , operational information, alarms) directly to and/or retrieve data directly from the storage repository  130 . Alternatively, the control engine  106  can facilitate the transfer of data between the communication module  108  and the storage repository  130 . The communication module  108  can also provide encryption to data that is sent by the controller  104  and decryption to data that is received by the controller  104 . The communication module  108  can also provide one or more of a number of other services with respect to data sent from and received by the controller  104 . Such services can include, but are not limited to, data packet routing information and procedures to follow in the event of data interruption. 
     The timer  110  of the controller  104  can track clock time, intervals of time, an amount of time, and/or any other measure of time. The timer  110  can also count the number of occurrences of an event, whether with or without respect to time. Alternatively, the control engine  106  can perform the counting function. The timer  110  is able to track multiple time measurements concurrently. The timer  110  can track time periods based on an instruction received from the control engine  106 , based on an instruction received from a user  150  (including an associated user system), based on an instruction programmed in the software for the controller  104 , based on some other condition or from some other component, or from any combination thereof. 
     The timer  110  can be configured to track time when there is no power delivered to the controller  104  (e.g., the power module  112  malfunctions) using, for example, a super capacitor or a battery backup. In such a case, when there is a resumption of power delivery to the controller  104 , the timer  110  can communicate any aspect of time to the controller  104 . In such a case, the timer  110  can include one or more of a number of components (e.g., a super capacitor, an integrated circuit) to perform these functions. 
     The power module  112  of the controller  104  provides power to one or more other components (e.g., timer  110 , control engine  106 ) of the controller  104 . In addition, in certain example embodiments, the power module  112  can provide power to one or more components (e.g., the heating system  170  of the managed water system  190 , a sensor  151 , a valve  152 ) of the system  100 . The power module  112  can include one or more of a number of single or multiple discrete components (e.g., transistor, diode, resistor), and/or a microprocessor. The power module  112  may include a printed circuit board, upon which the microprocessor and/or one or more discrete components are positioned. In some cases, the power module  112  can include one or more components that allow the power module  112  to measure one or more elements of power (e.g., voltage, current) that is delivered to and/or sent from the power module  112 . Alternatively, the controller  104  can include a power metering module (not shown) to measure one or more elements of power that flows into, out of, and/or within the controller  104 . 
     The power module  112  can include one or more components (e.g., a transformer, a diode bridge, an inverter, a converter) that receives power (for example, through an electrical cable) from the power supply  135  and generates power of a type (e.g., AC, DC) and level (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120V) that can be used by the other components of the controller  104 . For example, 240 VAC received from the power supply  135  by the power module  112  can be converted to 12 VDC by the power module  112 . The power module  112  can use a closed control loop to maintain a preconfigured voltage or current with a tight tolerance at the output. The power module  112  can also protect the remainder of the electronics (e.g., hardware processor  120 , transceiver  124 ) in the controller  104  from surges generated in the line. 
     In addition, or in the alternative, the power module  112  can be or include a source of power in itself to provide signals to the other components of the controller  104 . For example, the power module  112  can be or include a battery. As another example, the power module  112  can be or include a localized photovoltaic power system. In certain example embodiments, the power module  112  of the controller  104  can also provide power and/or control signals, directly or indirectly, to one or more of the sensor devices  151 . In such a case, the control engine  106  can direct the power generated by the power module  112  to one or more of the sensor devices  151 . In this way, power can be conserved by sending power to the sensor devices  151  when those devices need power, as determined by the control engine  106 . 
     The optional energy metering module  111  of the controller  104  can measure one or more components of power (e.g., current, voltage, resistance, VARs, watts) at one or more points (e.g., output of the power supply  135 ) associated with the system  100 . The energy metering module  111  can include any of a number of measuring devices and related devices, including but not limited to a voltmeter, an ammeter, a power meter, an ohmmeter, a current transformer, a potential transformer, and electrical wiring. The energy metering module  111  can measure a component of power continuously, periodically, based on the occurrence of an event, based on a command received from the control module  106 , and/or based on some other factor. If there is no energy metering module  111 , then the controller  104  can estimate one or more components of power using one or more protocols  132  and/or one or more algorithms  133 . 
     The hardware processor  120  of the controller  104  executes software, algorithms  133 , and firmware in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Specifically, the hardware processor  120  can execute software on the control engine  106  or any other portion of the controller  104 , as well as software used by a user system of a user  150 , the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof). The hardware processor  120  can be an integrated circuit, a central processing unit, a multi-core processing chip, SoC, a multi-chip module including multiple multi-core processing chips, or other hardware processor in one or more example embodiments. The hardware processor  120  is known by other names, including but not limited to a computer processor, a microprocessor, and a multi-core processor. 
     In one or more example embodiments, the hardware processor  120  executes software instructions stored in memory  122 . The memory  122  includes one or more cache memories, main memory, and/or any other suitable type of memory. The memory  122  can include volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The memory  122  is discretely located within the controller  104  relative to the hardware processor  120  according to some example embodiments. In certain configurations, the memory  122  can be integrated with the hardware processor  120 . 
     In certain example embodiments, the controller  104  does not include a hardware processor  120 . In such a case, the controller  104  can include, as an example, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), and one or more integrated circuits (ICs). Using FPGAs, IGBTs, ICs, and/or other similar devices known in the art allows the controller  104  (or portions thereof) to be programmable and function according to certain logic rules and thresholds without the use of a hardware processor. Alternatively, FPGAs, IGBTs, ICs, and/or similar devices can be used in conjunction with one or more hardware processors  120 . 
     The transceiver  124  of the controller  104  can send and/or receive control and/or communication signals. Specifically, the transceiver  124  can be used to transfer data between the controller  104  and the users  150  (including associated user systems), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof). The transceiver  124  can include a transmitter, a receiver, or a combination of the two. The transceiver  124  can use wired and/or wireless technology. The transceiver  124  can be configured in such a way that the control and/or communication signals sent and/or received by the transceiver  124  can be received and/or sent by another transceiver that is part of a user  150  (including an associated user system), the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof). The transceiver  124  can use any of a number of signal types, including but not limited to radio frequency signals. 
     When the transceiver  124  uses wireless technology, any type of wireless technology can be used by the transceiver  124  in sending and receiving signals. Such wireless technology can include, but is not limited to, Wi-Fi, visible light communication, Zigbee, mobile apps, text/email messages, cellular networking, BLE, and Bluetooth. The transceiver  124  can use one or more of any number of suitable communication protocols (e.g., ISA100, HART) when sending and/or receiving signals. Such communication protocols can be stored in the protocols  132  of the storage repository  130 . Further, any transceiver information for a user system of a user  150 , the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof) can be part of the stored data  134  (or similar areas) of the storage repository  130 . 
     Optionally, in one or more example embodiments, the security module  128  secures interactions between the controller  104 , the users  150 , the power supply  135 , and the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof). More specifically, the security module  128  authenticates communication from software based on security keys verifying the identity of the source of the communication. For example, user software may be associated with a security key enabling the software of a user system of a user  150  to interact with the controller  104  and/or the sensors  151 . Further, the security module  128  can restrict receipt of information, requests for information, and/or access to information in some example embodiments. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a computing device  218  that implements one or more of the various techniques described herein, and which is representative, in whole or in part, of the elements described herein pursuant to certain example embodiments. For example, the controller  104  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can be a computing device  218 , and its various components (e.g., transceiver  124 , storage repository  130 , control engine  106 ) can be components of a computing device  218 , as discussed below. Computing device  218  is one example of a computing device and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to scope of use or functionality of the computing device and/or its possible architectures. Neither should computing device  218  be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the example computing device  218 . 
     Computing device  218  includes one or more processors or processing units  214 , one or more memory/storage components  215 , one or more input/output (I/O) devices  216 , and a bus  217  that allows the various components and devices to communicate with one another. Bus  217  represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Bus  217  includes wired and/or wireless buses. 
     Memory/storage component  215  represents one or more computer storage media. Memory/storage component  215  includes volatile media (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory (ROM), flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). Memory/storage component  215  includes fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, a fixed hard drive, etc.) as well as removable media (e.g., a flash memory drive, a removable hard drive, an optical disk, and so forth). 
     One or more I/O devices  216  allow a customer, utility, or other user to enter commands and information to computing device  218 , and also allow information to be presented to the customer, utility, or other user and/or other components or devices. Examples of input devices include, but are not limited to, a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a touchscreen, and a scanner. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, outputs to a lighting network (e.g., DMX card), a printer, and a network card. 
     Various techniques are described herein in the general context of software or program modules. Generally, software includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. An implementation of these modules and techniques are stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media is any available non-transitory medium or non-transitory media that is accessible by a computing device. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media includes “computer storage media”. 
     “Computer storage media” and “computer readable medium” include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, computer recordable media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which is used to store the desired information and which is accessible by a computer. 
     The computer device  218  is connected to a network (not shown) (e.g., a LAN, a WAN such as the Internet, cloud, or any other similar type of network) via a network interface connection (not shown) according to some example embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many different types of computer systems exist (e.g., desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal media device, a mobile device, such as a cell phone or personal digital assistant, or any other computing system capable of executing computer readable instructions), and the aforementioned input and output means take other forms, now known or later developed, in other example embodiments. Generally speaking, the computer system  218  includes at least the minimal processing, input, and/or output means necessary to practice one or more embodiments. 
     Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more elements of the aforementioned computer device  218  can be located at a remote location and connected to the other elements over a network in certain example embodiments. Further, one or more embodiments is implemented on a distributed system having one or more nodes, where each portion of the implementation (e.g., control engine  106 ) is located on a different node within the distributed system. In one or more embodiments, the node corresponds to a computer system. Alternatively, the node corresponds to a processor with associated physical memory in some example embodiments. The node alternatively corresponds to a processor with shared memory and/or resources in some example embodiments. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3D  show various views of a heating system  370  in accordance with certain example embodiments. Specifically,  FIG. 3A  shows a top-front-side perspective view of the heating system  370 , which in this case is in the form of a heater and where a front panel is removed to allow for access into the interior of the heater.  FIG. 3B  shows a detailed view of a subassembly  360  of the heating system  370  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3C  shows a detailed view of another subassembly  365  of the heating system  370  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3D  shows an exploded view of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  of the heating system  300 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A through 3D , the heating system  380  of  FIGS. 3A through 3C  is an example of the heating system  170  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . In this case, the heating system  370  is a heater that includes multiple components. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3D , the heater of the heating system  370  can include a housing  381 , inside of which can be disposed a gas valve  372 , a number of heat exchanger (HX) tubes  377 , a number of burners  373 , a pilot  371 , a hold-down bracket  376  for the burners  373 , a gas orifice  374 , and a controller  304 , where the controller  304  is substantially similar to the controller  104  discussed above. Components such as the burners  373  and the HX tubes  377  can be part of a heat exchanger. 
     There can also be one or more components of the heater of the heating system  370  disposed on the housing  379 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3A through 3C , there can be a mechanical thermostatic valve  375  (also sometimes called a unitherm governor  375  or UG  375  herein), an optional bypass valve  383 , an inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , an outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 , an inlet port  378 , and an outlet port  379 . The inlet port  378  can be configured to couple to the piping system (e.g., piping system  184 ) to receive a body of water or other fluid flowing through the piping system from a vessel (e.g., vessel  119 ). The outlet port  379  can be configured to couple to the piping system to send a body of water or other fluid through the piping system to the vessel. The fluid flowing through the outlet port  379  can be entirely from the HX tubes  377 , or a mixture of the output of the HX tubes  377  mixed with some amount of fluid flowing through the optional bypass valve  383 . 
     The optional bypass valve  383  can be used to divert some amount of the fluid received through the inlet port  378  from entering the HX tubes  377 . In such a case, the diverted fluid is mixed with the fluid exiting the HX tubes  377  before entering the outlet port  379 . The position of the bypass valve  383 , if one exists, can be controlled automatically (e.g., based on pressure or flow rate of the fluid, based on the temperature of the fluid, based on an amount of time) or by the controller  304 . Various examples of the position of a bypass valve and a mechanical thermostatic valve  375  (corresponding to different modes of operation) are shown below with respect to  FIGS. 5 through 13 . 
     The mechanical thermostatic valve  375  can have one or more of any of a number of configurations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  can include a sealing member  366  (e.g., a gasket, an O-ring), a plug  367  (also sometimes called a housing  367 ), and a governor  368 . The governor  368  rotates relative to the housing  367  based on the temperature of the fluid flowing against the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . Openings in the governor  368  can align with openings in the plug  367  when the fluid is at certain temperatures, allowing some amount of the fluid to flow through the aligned openings in the governor  368  and the plug  367 . The sealing member  366  is configured to prevent additional fluid from passing through the governor  368  and the plug  367  aside from what fluid flows through their aligned windows. In some cases, as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3D , a minimal amount of fluid still flows through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  when the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is completely closed. In other words, such a mechanical thermostatic valve  375  can have bleed holes or similar features that allow for this minimal flow of fluid (e.g., water) therethrough. 
     Example embodiments differ from heating systems currently used in the art in a few ways. First, example embodiments have the inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1  that measures the temperature of water (or other fluid) entering the HX tubes  377  from the inlet port  378  and the outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2  that measures the temperature of water (or other fluid) leaving the HX tubes  377  toward the outlet port  379 . In the current art, heating systems in the form of heaters only have an inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1  for fluid entering the HX tubes  377  from the inlet port  378  and lack a temperature sensor  358 - 2  for fluid exiting the HX tubes  377  toward the outlet port  379 . Second, example embodiments use the controller  304  to calculate the position of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  at various points in time based on one or more of a number of conditions. 
     For heating systems that currently exist in the art, such as a heating system in the form of a heater, the nameplate information about the capabilities of the heater are often inflated (e.g., by up to 120%) compared to actual operating performance. For example, reduced setpoint of the gas valve  372 , incorrect pressures associated with the fuel (e.g., natural gas) used by the burners  373 , differences in gas heating system components (e.g., burners  373 , valves) across manufacturers and ranges of tolerances within a manufacturing line, and improper or imperfect sizing of the fuel piping  382  can all be factors that contribute to an incorrect calculation of the performance of the heating system. 
     The mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is designed to control the flow of fluid (e.g., water) through the HX tubes  377  of the heating system  370 . While the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is adjustable in the current art, without the information provided by the added outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2  and without the algorithms and protocols used by the controller  304 , the actual performance of the heating system  370  will not match (e.g., will be grossly understated relative to) the estimated performance. 
     When the heating system  370  is a heater, there can be multiple families, and each family can have multiple modes or levels of operation. A family can represent a type, brand, and or other category of heating system  370 , as represented by Table 1 below, which shows 3 different families. The modes or levels of operation within a particular family can be summarized, by way of example, by Table 2 below, where there are 5 different levels or modes. The thermostatic valve setpoint value represents when the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  begins to open as fluid flows around it. Efficiency is a calculated value (as discussed below). The maximum high temperature limit is the highest temperature (expressed in degrees Fahrenheit) allowed for that family type. The minimum flow rate (expressed in gallons per minute or gpm) and the maximum flow rate (expressed in gpm) represents limits of the fluid (e.g., water) flowing through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . These tables can be generated and maintained by the control engine (e.g., control engine  106 ) of the controller  304  and stored in a storage repository (e.g., storage repository  130 ) as stored data (e.g., stored data  134 ). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Lookup table 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Thermostatic 
                   
                 Maximum 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Valve (UG) 
                   
                 High 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Setpoint 
                   
                 Temperature 
                 Minimum 
                 Maximum 
               
               
                 Family 
                 Value 
                 Efficiency 
                 Limit (° F.) 
                 Flow Rate 
                 Flow Rate 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 A 
                 105 
                 82% 
                 160 
                 17.5 
                 30 
               
               
                 B 
                 130 
                 84% 
                 160 
                 11.7 
                 15.5 
               
               
                 C 
                 120 
                 82% 
                 140 
                 7 
                 12 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 UG Operation Summary table 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Low end of 
                 High end of 
                   
               
               
                   
                 outlet 
                 outlet 
                   
               
               
                   
                 temperature 
                 temperature 
                   
               
               
                 Level 
                 range 
                 range 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 5 
                 180 
                   
                 Exceeds ANSI/CSA limits for exit  
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 heat exchanger temperature 
               
               
                 4 
                 Maximum 
                 180 
                 Monitor outlet temperature to  
               
               
                   
                 high limit 
                   
                 control fluid flow through UG 
               
               
                   
                 (varies by 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 family) 
                   
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 UG set 
                 Maximum 
                 UG maximum open 
               
               
                   
                 point + 
                 high limit 
                   
               
               
                   
                 19° F. 
                 (varies by 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 family) 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 UG set 
                 UG set point + 
                 UG travel between closed and  
               
               
                   
                 point + 5° F. 
                 19° F. 
                 maximum open 
               
               
                 1 
                 50 
                 UG set point + 
                 UG closed 
               
               
                   
                   
                  5° F. 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Another mode of operation, referred to herein as Level 2, is where the position of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is changing (e.g., from closed to fully open). This level tends to be optimal in terms of extending the useful life of the heating system  370  (including portions thereof such as the HX tubes  377 ). In many cases, the flow rate of the fluid through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is linear relative to the position of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  within the range of positions of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . 
     The graph  497  of  FIG. 4  shows a plot for each of three different set point values (104° F., 120° F., and 130° F.) (or, more broadly, three different families) for the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . Specifically, the graph  497  show plots of the position  496  of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  along the vertical axis versus the temperature  494  of the water flowing through the outlet port  379  (as measured by outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 ) along the horizontal axis. In this case, the position  496  of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is measured in terms of the distance (in inches) that the seal of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  (referred to as the UG or unitherm governor in the graph  497 ), and the temperature  494  is measured in degrees Fahrenheit. The nominal maximum flow rate of the fluid flowing through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  occurs when the position  496  of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is at 0.3 inches. 
     Plot  491  represents data that is measured when the setpoint value of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is 104° F. Plot  492  represents data that is measured when the setpoint value of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is 120° F. Plot  493  represents data that is measured when the setpoint value of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is 130° F. For all three of the plots of the graph  497 , there is a substantially linear relationship between the position  496  of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  and the temperature  494  of the fluid (e.g., water) flowing through and around the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  when the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  has just been opened (e.g., a distance  496  of 0.01 inches) and when the distance  496  is approximately 0.3 inches. In the case of plot  492  where the setpoint of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is 120° F., the linear relationship extends to where the distance  496  is approximately 0.36 inches. 
     Yet another mode of operation, referred to herein as Level 3, is where the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is substantially fully open. This mode of operation is where the maximum flow rate of the fluid through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  can be attained through the HX tubes  377 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the distance  496  (representing the openness of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 ) of approximately 0.3 inches is slightly below the maximum possible opening distance of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . For example, erosion from some of the piping  184  and/or the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  would occur if the flow rate of the fluid (e.g., water) was increased beyond what is regulated when the distance  496  is 0.3 inches. The flowrate of the fluid (e.g., water) for this mode of operation can be found in a lookup table, such as what is shown above. 
     Still another mode of operation, referred to herein as Level 4, is where the thermostatic valve  375  is substantially fully open, and also where the temperature of the fluid flowing out of the HX tubes  377  toward the outlet port  379 , as measured by outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 , is between 160° F. and 180° F. In this mode of operation, the thermostatic valve  375  is substantially open with a temperature, measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1  at the entry to the HX tubes  377  adjacent to the inlet port  378 , that is higher than expected or considered safe. This condition also results in the high temperature at the outlet port  379  because the flow of fluid (e.g., water) remains at a maximum. 
     Yet another mode of operation, referred to herein as Level 5, is where the position of the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is unknown, and also where the temperature, as measured by outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 , of the fluid flowing out of the HX tubes  377  toward the outlet port  379  is above 180° F. In this mode of operation, a safety measure, driven by the controller  304 , kicks in when the the temperature of the fluid flowing out of the HX tubes  377  toward the outlet port  379 , as measured by outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 , exceeds 180° F. in violation of ANSI Z21.56. 
     For example, for a particular family (e.g., family A), one mode or level of operation, referred to herein as Level 1, is where the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is closed. In such a case, there is a minimum flow rate of water or other fluid flowing through the HX tubes  377 . This minimum flow rate of fluid is substantially constant until the temperature (as read, for example, by temperature sensor  385 - 1  or temperature sensor  385 - 2 ) reaches a threshold value. Any increased flow of fluid through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  during this mode of operation would cause an increase to condensation within the HX tubes  377  and reduce the useful life of the heating system  370 . This flowrate of the fluid through the mechanical thermostatic value  375  can be bounded, as shown in the lookup table above. 
     As shown by the example lookup table above, Levels 1, 2, and 3, calculated values of the flow of fluid through the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 , performed by the controller  304 , can be used. By contrast, since Levels 4 and 5 are more for safety than normal operations, a lookup table may not be needed. In such a case, the operating parameters for Levels 4 and 5 can be written into the software executed by the controller  304 . The formula to calculate the efficiency (as listed in the lookup table above) can be as follows: 
     Equation (1): Eff=(C×FR×ΔT)÷IR, where Eff is the efficiency of the heating system  370 , C is a numerical designation for the fluid in the vessel  119  (e.g.,  500  for water), FR is the flow rate of the body of water (e.g., body of water  180 ), ΔT is the difference in temperature of the body of water (or other fluid) flowing through the heating system  370  between the measurement made by the inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1  at the input port  378  and the measurement made by the outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2  at the output port  379 , and IR is the input rate of the fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane) used by the heater of the heating system  370 . C can be calculated as the weight per gallon of the fluid times the specific heat of the fluid times a unit of time (e.g., 60 minutes). In some cases, values of C for different fluids can be listed in a lookup table (part of the stored data  134 ), and the user (e.g., user  150 ) can use an app on the user device (e.g., user device  155 ) to select the fluid circulating through the heating system  370 . 
     In some cases, the FR can be predetermined by a lookup table (as with a fixed speed motor used for the circulation system  135 ). The calculated value of Eff can vary based on one or more factors, including but not limited to the speed of a pump motor of the circulation system  135 , selection of heater components such as a blower or heat exchanger, altitude of location of the managed water system  190  (or portions thereof), gas pressure, quality of gas, and age of the equipment of the circulation system  135  and/or the heating system  170 . In some cases, Eff is predetermined by the lookup table. In such a case, the input rate (IR) can be calculated using the following equation: 
     Equation (2): IR=(C×FR×ΔT)÷Eff, where Eff is the efficiency of the heating system  370 , C is a numerical designation for the fluid in the vessel  119  (e.g.,  500  for water), FR is the flow rate of the body of water (e.g., body of water  180 ), ΔT is the difference in temperature of the body of water (or other fluid) flowing through the heating system  370  between the measurement made by the inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1  at the input port  378  and the measurement made by the outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2  at the output port  379 , and IR is the input rate of the fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane) used by the heater of the heating system  370 . 
     An example of a simulation is shown by the inputs and fields of the following Table 3: 
                                                Temperature (inlet) in ° F.   50           Temperature (outlet) in ° F.   80           Family ID   2           UG Setpoint Value   130           Efficiency   84%           Maximum High Temperature Limit (° F.)   160           Minimum Flow Rate (gpm)   11.7           Maximum Flow Rate (gpm)   15.5           Level   1           UG Travel %   −3.6           UG Travel delta   3.8           UG Travel Flow   11.7           Flow through HX Tubes   11.7           ΔT   30           Checkpoint   0           IR   208929                        
where Temperature (inlet) is measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 ; where Temperature (outlet) is measured by outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 ; where Family ID, UG Setpoint Value, Efficiency, Maximum High Temperature Limit, Minimum Flow Rate, and Maximum Flow Rate are taken from the example lookup table shown above; where the Level is determined based on the data that corresponds to the lookup table; where UG Travel %, UG Travel delta, and UG Travel Flow are calculated values; where ΔT is calculated as the difference between Temperature (outlet) and Temperature (inlet); where Checkpoint is an error code; and where IR is a calculated value using Equation (2) above.
 
     In this first simulation, the following Table 4 can be generated based on an IR value of 208929: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Fluid 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Flow 
                   
                 Inlet Temperature 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Rate 
                 ΔT 
                 50 
                 55 
                 60 
                 65 
                 70 
                 75 
                 80 
                 85 
                 90 
                 95 
                 100 
                 104 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 11.7 
                 30 
                 80.0 
                 85.0 
                 90.0 
                 95.0 
                 100.0 
                 105.0 
                 110.0 
                 115.0 
                 120.0 
                 125.0 
                 130.0 
                 134.0 
               
               
                 12.08 
                 29.1 
                 79.1 
                 84.1 
                 89.1 
                 94.1 
                 99.1 
                 104.1 
                 109.1 
                 114.1 
                 119.1 
                 124.1 
                 129.1 
                 133.1 
               
               
                 12.46 
                 28.2 
                 78.2 
                 83.2 
                 88.2 
                 93.2 
                 98.2 
                 103.2 
                 108.2 
                 113.2 
                 118.2 
                 123.2 
                 128.2 
                 132.2 
               
               
                 12.84 
                 27.3 
                 77.3 
                 82.3 
                 87.3 
                 92.3 
                 97.3 
                 102.3 
                 107.3 
                 112.3 
                 117.3 
                 122.3 
                 127.3 
                 131.3 
               
               
                 13.22 
                 26.4 
                 76.6 
                 81.6 
                 86.6 
                 91.6 
                 96.6 
                 101.6 
                 106.6 
                 111.6 
                 116.6 
                 121.6 
                 126.6 
                 130.6 
               
               
                 13.6 
                 25.8 
                 75.8 
                 80.8 
                 85.8 
                 90.8 
                 95.8 
                 100.8 
                 105.8 
                 110.8 
                 115.8 
                 120.8 
                 125.8 
                 129.8 
               
               
                 13.98 
                 25.1 
                 75.1 
                 80.1 
                 85.1 
                 90.1 
                 95.1 
                 100.1 
                 105.1 
                 110.1 
                 115.1 
                 120.1 
                 125.1 
                 129.1 
               
               
                 14.36 
                 24.4 
                 74.4 
                 79.4 
                 84.4 
                 89.4 
                 94.4 
                 99.4 
                 104.4 
                 109.4 
                 114.4 
                 119.4 
                 124.4 
                 128.4 
               
               
                 14.74 
                 23.8 
                 73.8 
                 78.8 
                 83.8 
                 88.8 
                 93.8 
                 98.8 
                 103.8 
                 108.8 
                 113.8 
                 118.8 
                 123.8 
                 127.8 
               
               
                 15.12 
                 23.2 
                 73.2 
                 78.2 
                 83.2 
                 88.2 
                 93.2 
                 98.2 
                 103.2 
                 108.2 
                 113.2 
                 118.2 
                 123.2 
                 127.2 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     An example of another simulation is shown by the inputs and fields of the following Table 5: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Temperature (inlet) in ° F. 
                 50 
               
               
                   
                 Temperature (outlet) in ° F. 
                 140 
               
               
                   
                 Family ID 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 UG Setpoint Value 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                 Efficiency 
                 84% 
               
               
                   
                 Maximum High Temperature Limit (° F.) 
                 160 
               
               
                   
                 Minimum Flow Rate (gpm) 
                 11.7 
               
               
                   
                 Maximum Flow Rate (gpm) 
                 15.5 
               
               
                   
                 Level 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 UG Travel % 
                 0.4 
               
               
                   
                 UG Travel delta 
                 3.8 
               
               
                   
                 UG Travel Flow 
                 13.2 
               
               
                   
                 Flow through HX Tubes 
                 13.2 
               
               
                   
                 ΔT 
                 90 
               
               
                   
                 Checkpoint 
                 0 
               
               
                   
                 IR 
                 708214 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In this second simulation, the following Table 6 can be generated based on an IR value of 708214: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Fluid 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Flow 
                   
                 Inlet Temperature 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Rate 
                 ΔT 
                 50 
                 55 
                 60 
                 65 
                 70 
                 75 
                 80 
                 85 
                 90 
                 95 
                 100 
                 104 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 11.7 
                 101.7 
                 151.7 
                 156.7 
                 161.7 
                 166.7 
                 171.7 
                 176.7 
                 181.7 
                 186.7 
                 191.7 
                 196.7 
                 201.7 
                 205.7 
               
               
                 12.08 
                 98.5 
                 148.5 
                 153.5 
                 158.5 
                 163.5 
                 168.5 
                 173.5 
                 178.5 
                 183.5 
                 188.5 
                 193.5 
                 198.5 
                 202.5 
               
               
                 12.46 
                 95.5 
                 145.5 
                 150.5 
                 155.5 
                 160.5 
                 165.5 
                 170.5 
                 175.5 
                 180.5 
                 185.5 
                 190.5 
                 195.5 
                 199.5 
               
               
                 12.84 
                 92.7 
                 142.7 
                 147.7 
                 152.7 
                 157.7 
                 162.7 
                 167.7 
                 172.7 
                 177.7 
                 182.7 
                 187.7 
                 192.7 
                 196.7 
               
               
                 13.22 
                 90.0 
                 140.0 
                 145.0 
                 150.0 
                 155.0 
                 160.0 
                 165.0 
                 170.0 
                 175.0 
                 180.0 
                 185.0 
                 190.0 
                 194.0 
               
               
                 13.6 
                 87.5 
                 137.5 
                 142.5 
                 147.5 
                 152.5 
                 157.5 
                 162.5 
                 167.5 
                 172.5 
                 177.5 
                 182.5 
                 187.5 
                 191.5 
               
               
                 13.98 
                 85.1 
                 135.1 
                 140.1 
                 145.1 
                 150.1 
                 155.1 
                 160.1 
                 165.1 
                 170.1 
                 175.1 
                 180.1 
                 185.1 
                 189.1 
               
               
                 14.36 
                 82.9 
                 132.9 
                 137.9 
                 142.9 
                 147.9 
                 152.9 
                 157.9 
                 162.9 
                 167.9 
                 172.9 
                 177.9 
                 182.9 
                 186.9 
               
               
                 14.74 
                 80.7 
                 130.7 
                 135.7 
                 140.7 
                 145.7 
                 150.7 
                 155.7 
                 160.7 
                 165.7 
                 170.7 
                 175.7 
                 180.7 
                 184.7 
               
               
                 15.12 
                 78.7 
                 128.7 
                 133.7 
                 138.7 
                 143.7 
                 148.7 
                 153.7 
                 158.7 
                 163.7 
                 168.7 
                 173.7 
                 178.7 
                 182.7 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     An example of yet another simulation is shown by the inputs and fields of the following Table 7: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Temperature (inlet) in ° F. 
                 100 
               
               
                 Temperature (outlet) in ° F. 
                 160 
               
               
                 Family ID 
                 2 
               
               
                 UG Setpoint Value 
                 130 
               
               
                 Efficiency 
                 84% 
               
               
                 Maximum High Temperature Limit (° F.) 
                 160 
               
               
                 Minimum Flow Rate (gpm) 
                 11.7 
               
               
                 Maximum Flow Rate (gpm) 
                 15.5 
               
               
                 Level 
                 4 
               
               
                 UG Travel % 
                 1.7 
               
               
                 UG Travel delta 
                 3.8 
               
               
                 UG Travel Flow 
                 18.3 
               
               
                 Flow through HX Tubes 
                 15.5 
               
               
                 ΔT 
                 60 
               
               
                 Checkpoint 
                 ΔT Error—Flow  
               
               
                   
                 through UG reduced 
               
               
                 IR 
                 553571 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In this first simulation, the following Table 8 can be generated based on an IR value of 553571: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Fluid 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Flow 
                   
                 Inlet Temperature 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Rate 
                 ΔT 
                 50 
                 55 
                 60 
                 65 
                 70 
                 75 
                 80 
                 85 
                 90 
                 95 
                 100 
                 104 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 11.7 
                 79.5 
                 129.5 
                 134.5 
                 139.5 
                 144.5 
                 149.5 
                 154.5 
                 159.5 
                 164.5 
                 169.5 
                 174.5 
                 179.5 
                 183.5 
               
               
                 12.08 
                 77.0 
                 127.0 
                 132.0 
                 137.0 
                 142.0 
                 147.0 
                 152.0 
                 157.0 
                 162.0 
                 167.0 
                 172.0 
                 177.0 
                 181.0 
               
               
                 12.46 
                 74.6 
                 124.6 
                 129.6 
                 134.6 
                 139.6 
                 144.6 
                 149.6 
                 154.6 
                 159.6 
                 164.6 
                 169.6 
                 174.6 
                 178.6 
               
               
                 12.84 
                 72.4 
                 122.4 
                 127.4 
                 132.4 
                 137.4 
                 142.4 
                 147.4 
                 152.4 
                 157.4 
                 162.4 
                 167.4 
                 172.4 
                 176.4 
               
               
                 13.22 
                 70.3 
                 120.3 
                 125.3 
                 130.3 
                 135.3 
                 140.3 
                 145.3 
                 150.3 
                 155.3 
                 160.3 
                 165.3 
                 170.3 
                 174.3 
               
               
                 13.6 
                 68.4 
                 118.4 
                 123.4 
                 128.4 
                 133.4 
                 138.4 
                 143.4 
                 148.4 
                 153.4 
                 158.4 
                 163.4 
                 168.4 
                 172.4 
               
               
                 13.98 
                 66.5 
                 116.5 
                 121.5 
                 126.5 
                 131.5 
                 136.5 
                 141.5 
                 146.5 
                 151.5 
                 156.5 
                 161.5 
                 166.5 
                 170.5 
               
               
                 14.36 
                 64.8 
                 114.8 
                 119.8 
                 124.8 
                 129.8 
                 134.8 
                 139.8 
                 144.8 
                 149.8 
                 154.8 
                 159.8 
                 164.8 
                 168.8 
               
               
                 14.74 
                 63.1 
                 113.1 
                 118.1 
                 123.1 
                 128.1 
                 133.1 
                 138.1 
                 143.1 
                 148.1 
                 153.1 
                 158.1 
                 163.1 
                 167.1 
               
               
                 15.12 
                 61.5 
                 111.5 
                 116.5 
                 121.5 
                 126.5 
                 131.5 
                 136.5 
                 141.5 
                 146.5 
                 151.5 
                 156.5 
                 161.5 
                 165.5 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Under Example embodiments can make adjustments to a lookup table from time to time based on one or more of any of a number of factors, including but not limited to user input, new trends in historical data, new equipment in the piping system (e.g., piping system  184 ), and new equipment in the heating system (e.g., heating system  370 ). The controller  304  can track and trend historical estimates with actual results and measurements to determine the maximum ΔT that can be allowable for each family. The controller  304  can also use historical data, present measurements, and/or forecasts to determine the life expectancy of the heating system  370  (or portions thereof). Example embodiments can also establish and maintain efficiency profiles at less than 100% efficiency. 
       FIGS. 5 through 13  each show a diagram of a different mode of operation for the heating system  300  of  FIGS. 3A through 3D . Each of  FIGS. 5 through 13  include the HX tubes  377 , the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 , the optional bypass valve  383 , the inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , the outlet temperature sensor  358 - 2 , the inlet port  378 , the outlet port  379  of the system  300  of  FIGS. 3A through 3D , except that each of  FIGS. 5 through 13  shows the system in different modes of operation. The arrows in  FIGS. 5 through 13  show the flow path of the fluid (e.g., water). 
     The system  500  captured in  FIG. 5  shows a low flow rate (e.g., approximately 40 gpm) of the fluid and where the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is low (e.g., less than 50° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  is completely “closed” (due to the low flow rate of the fluid) with a minimal amount of fluid flowing through bleed holes in the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . The system  600  captured in  FIG. 6  shows the same low flow rate (e.g., approximately 40 gpm) of the fluid relative to the system  500  of  FIG. 5 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a nominal temperature (e.g., approximately 80° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  remains completely “closed” (due to the low flow rate of the fluid), but with the increased temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is partially open to allow for an increased flow of fluid therethrough relative to the system  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
     The system  700  captured in  FIG. 7  shows the same low flow rate (e.g., approximately 40 gpm) of the fluid relative to the systems of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a high temperature (e.g., approximately 102° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  still remains completely “closed” (due to the low flow rate of the fluid), but with the high temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is fully open to allow for a maximum flow of fluid therethrough relative to the systems of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     The system  800  captured in  FIG. 8  shows a nominal flow rate (e.g., approximately 60 gpm) of the fluid and where the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is low (e.g., less than 50° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  is partially open (due to the nominal flow rate of the fluid) with a minimal amount of fluid flowing through bleed holes in the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . The system  900  captured in  FIG. 9  shows the same nominal flow rate (e.g., approximately 60 gpm) of the fluid relative to the system  800  of  FIG. 8 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a nominal temperature (e.g., approximately 80° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  remains partially open (due to the low flow rate of the fluid), but with the increased temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is partially open to allow for an increased flow of fluid therethrough relative to the system  800  of  FIG. 8 . 
     The system  1000  captured in  FIG. 10  shows the same nominal flow rate (e.g., approximately 60 gpm) of the fluid relative to the systems of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a high temperature (e.g., approximately 102° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  still remains partially open (due to the low flow rate of the fluid), but with the high temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is fully open to allow for a maximum flow of fluid therethrough relative to the systems of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     The system  1100  captured in  FIG. 11  shows a high flow rate (e.g., approximately 100 gpm) of the fluid and where the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is low (e.g., less than 50° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  is completely open (due to the high flow rate of the fluid) with a minimal amount of fluid flowing through bleed holes in the mechanical thermostatic valve  375 . The system  1200  captured in  FIG. 12  shows the same high flow rate (e.g., approximately 100 gpm) of the fluid relative to the system  1100  of  FIG. 11 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a nominal temperature (e.g., approximately 80° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  remains completely open (due to the high flow rate of the fluid), but with the increased temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is partially open to allow for an increased flow of fluid therethrough relative to the system  1100  of  FIG. 11 . 
     The system  1300  captured in  FIG. 13  shows the same high flow rate (e.g., approximately 100 gpm) of the fluid relative to the systems of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , but in this case the temperature of the fluid, as measured by inlet temperature sensor  358 - 1 , is at a high temperature (e.g., approximately 102° F.). In such a case, the bypass valve  383  still remains completely open (due to the low flow rate of the fluid), but with the high temperature of the fluid, the mechanical thermostatic valve  375  is fully open to allow for a maximum flow of fluid therethrough relative to the systems of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     Example embodiments can be used to provide information and control with respect to any of a number of aspects of a heating system of a managed water system. Example embodiments can manage and control a heating system within the managed water system. Example embodiments can determine actual efficiency, performance, and other related parameters that can be used to optimize use of a heating system under a variety of operating scenarios. By having a temperature sensor at both the inlet and outlet ports of the heating system, the controller of example embodiments can make more accurate assessments of the performance of the heating system and how to control aspects (control the flow of fuel to the burner, control the flow of fluid (e.g., water) flowing through the HX tubes and/or mechanical thermostatic valve) of the heating system that maximize efficiency. Example embodiments can determine when to start heating a body of water so that the body of water reaches a target temperature at a target time. Example embodiments can be used to evaluate equipment of a heating system and, in some cases, develop and/or implement an action plan to replace failed or failing equipment of the heating system. Example embodiments can receive input and/or information from any of a number of sensor devices and/or users to make its determinations. Example embodiments can lower costs, improve efficiency, and increase the useful life of a managed water (or, more generally, fluid) system, including its various components. 
     Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to example embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein.