An integrated domestic refrigerator and hot water system

The Experimental Study of Water Storage Performance on Small Heat-Pump Energy Storage Air-Conditioner

“…J. M. O'brien, P. k. Bansal,R. R. Raine, et al [6] combine water heater and air conditioning to make up a HEC (Home Energy Centre), which presents possibility for combination between air conditioning and heat storage. Kim et al [7] have performed some research on direct expansion integrated solar-assisted heat pumps system.…”

Tools & techniques for reduced energy consumption with residential energy system example application

“…In fact, water temperature in the DHW storage tank continued to generally increase for the entire duration of the simulation exceeding 58°C at the end of one day. This is similarly noted in experimental testing by O'Brien et al [O'Brien 1998], where low water draws (6 liters) could be taken without incurring energy consumption in the DHW. The preheat configuration required energy consumption of the DHW to maintain the set point just as the independent DHW in the standing tests because the DHW was isolated from the refrigerator and the DHW.…”

“…The Maximum Power Principle has been stated in a number of different ways including the simple, "Self-organizing systems tend towards the maximization of useful power" [Odum 1983] but generally states that designs prevail that maximize power. Like the maximum power theorem, Odum's statement of the maximum power principle relies on the notion of 'matching', such that high-quality energy maximizes power by matching and amplifying energy (1994, pp.…”

“…Based on the Home Energy Centre (HEC) evaluated in the International Journal of Energy Research [O'Brien 1998] and the recommendations from the same paper, I propose a different configuration of the integrated refrigerator and hot water heater. Changes based on the evaluation of the HEC:…”

“…In the experimental testing performed by O'Brien et al [O'Brien 1998], the refrigerator performance was not affected by the HEC configuration because the refrigerator had a secondary condenser. This secondary condenser allows excess heat to be rejected to the environment (air) in consistent conditions regardless of the effectiveness of the primary condenser to extract heat.…”