Patent ID: 8590802

Claim:
An advanced electric water heater control system comprising: a. a high temperature cut-off thermostat having a first and a second AC power input and a first and a second AC power output and an upper regulating thermostat having an AC power output controlling the current to at least one resistive element in an electric water heater, b. a control module electrically connected to the first AC power output of said high-temperature cut-off thermostat, the second AC power output of said high temperature cut-off thermostat, and the AC power input of the upper regulating thermostat, c. said control module including a switch to open or close the electrical connection between the first AC power output of said high-temperature cut-off thermostat and the AC power input of the upper regulating thermostat, d. circuitry configured to control said switch in response to a signal selected from the group of an autonomous signal, a communicated signal, and combinations thereof.