Patent ID: 7619181

Claim:
A control system suitable for use with a bathing unit system having a water receptacle, said control system comprising: a) a heating module having a body defining a passage through which water can flow; b) a first power source operative for supplying power to said heating module; c) a second power source operative for supplying power generated from solar energy to said heating module, said second power source including an energy storage member adapted for establishing an electrical connection with a solar panel, said energy storage member being operative for storing energy collected from the solar panel; d) a controller in communication with said heating module, said first power source and said second power source, said controller being operative for: i) selecting one of said first power source and said second power source for supplying power to the heating module; ii) deriving energy consumption information associated with said second power source; and iii) releasing energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system, said energy consumption information associated with the bathing unit system conveying the energy consumption information associated with said second power source relative to energy consumption information associated with said first power source.