Clothes washer demand response with dual wattage or auxiliary heater
A clothes washer is provided comprising one or more power consuming functions and a controller in signal communication with an associated utility. The controller can receive and process a signal from the associated utility indicative of current state of an associated utility. The controller operates the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode in response to the received signal. In the case of a water heating clothes washer containing a heater assembly, the controller is configured to change the power consuming characteristics of the heater assembly to reduce power consumption of the clothes washer in an energy savings mode.
1. A clothes washer comprising:
at least one power consuming feature including a heater assembly comprising a first heater and a second heater for heating water to be used during a sanitation portion of a wash cycle, the first heater having a greater wattage rating than the second heater; and
a controller adapted to receive and process a signal indicative of the current cost of supplied energy, the controller operating the clothes washer in one of a plurality of operating modes including at least a normal mode and an energy saving mode based on the received signal,
wherein, in response to the normal mode, the controller activates the first heater and de-activates the second heater, and
wherein, in response to the energy saving mode, the controller implements an extended heating cycle in which the controller de-activates the first heater and activates the second heater to raise the temperature of water required for the sanitation portion of the wash cycle.
2. The clothes washer of claim 1 wherein the heater assembly is operatively associated with a water heating cycle of the clothes washer.
3. The clothes washer of claim 2 wherein in the normal the water heating cycle is active for a shorter period of time than in the energy saving mode.
4. The clothes washer of claim 3 wherein in the normal mode the heater assembly is operated at a higher wattage than in the energy saving mode.