JP2002098409A - Hot-water supplier system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hot-water supplier system which can control the number of operated hot-water supplies to the last one and adjust the flow rate of supplied hot water to the minimum even when the requested quantity of supplied hot water becomes the minimum. SOLUTION: This hot-water supplier system is provided with a means which stops the operations of hot-water suppliers integrated to one system controller in accordance with the operated number of hot-water suppliers integrated to another system controller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water heater system using gas, oil and electricity as fuel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the applicant has previously filed a Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-257977 for a water heater system which is not limited to the number of connected water heaters and can quickly cope with a large amount of hot water requests. As shown in FIG. 6, this water heater system is a water heater system which operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters.
Regarding 2), system controllers (SC1 to SC5) for centralizing the control of water heaters in units of a predetermined number are provided, and these system controllers are provided with a hierarchical structure in which the system controllers are integrated in a higher-level system controller in units of a predetermined number. The upper system controller (SC5) is capable of controlling individual water heaters connected to the system. And a water burner and a heat exchanger which are connected in parallel to a water supply pipe and a water discharge pipe (not shown) via a branch pipe and are connected to the water heater, and heat water supplied from the water supply pipe inside, A flow control opening / closing valve for adjusting the flow rate of hot water is provided.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional water heater system, a lower system controller, for example, the system controller (SC1), which receives an operation start command from the uppermost system controller (SC5).
Transmits an operation command signal sequentially to the connected water heaters (K1 to K3), and if the flow rate decreases, the flow rate of the water heater in which the flow rate control opening / closing valve is finally opened is reduced to sequentially reduce the number of water heaters. And finally one. As described above, since there are a plurality of lower system controllers (SC1 to SC4), a plurality of water heaters for reducing the flow rate also exist. As a result, although it is possible to respond to a large amount of hot water supply requests, on the other hand, one water heater under the control of each operating system controller remains at the end of the control operation one by one. There was a problem that control became impossible.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when the amount of hot water supply is extremely small,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water heater system capable of controlling the number of water heaters up to the last one and performing a minimum flow rate adjustment.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a water heater system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of water heaters connected to a water heater system operated by connecting a plurality of water heaters. A system controller for centralizing the control of the water heater, and the system controller has a hierarchical structure in which the system controller is integrated in a higher-level system controller in a predetermined number of units, and individual water heaters connected to the system by the highest-level system controller And a means for stopping the operation of the water heaters integrated by one system controller in accordance with the number of operating water heaters integrated by another system controller is provided. Is the first feature. According to the first feature, when the amount of hot water decreases, the water heater under the control of one operating system controller always stops its operation according to the operation information of the water heater of the other system controller. As a result, the number of water heaters used is reduced for each water heater integrated by the system controller,
At the end of the hot water supply control operation, one water heater is used.

A water heater system according to the present invention includes a water heater connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes the control of the water heaters by a predetermined number of units, The system controller is provided with a hierarchical structure in which a predetermined number of units are integrated into a higher-level system controller, and the highest-level system controller is capable of controlling individual water heaters connected to the system, A second feature is that a means is provided for executing the inhibition of flow rate adjustment of the water heater integrated by the system controller according to the number of operating water heaters integrated by the other system controllers. According to the second feature, the flow rate adjustment control of the water heaters integrated by another system controller is prohibited according to the number of operating water heaters integrated by the system controller. The flow adjustment control is no longer performed for each water heater of each system controller, and the water heater for which the flow adjustment is performed is specified,
The number of hot water heaters for which the flow rate adjustment is performed in accordance with the decrease in the amount of hot water supply is also sequentially reduced. Further, the water heater system of the present invention includes a water heater connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes the control of the water heater in a predetermined number unit, and the system controller includes: A hierarchical structure is provided in which a predetermined number of units are integrated into a higher-level system controller, and each of the water heaters connected to the system can be controlled by the highest-level system controller. A third feature is that means is provided for executing the inhibition of flow rate adjustment of the integrated water heaters in accordance with the operation order of the integrated water heaters by another system controller. According to the third feature, the flow rate adjustment control of the water heaters integrated by other system controllers is prohibited according to the operation order of the water heaters integrated by each system controller. The flow rate adjustment control is not performed for each water heater of each system controller as described above, and the water heater for which the flow rate adjustment is performed is specified. The number is sequentially reduced. Further, the water heater system of the present invention includes a water heater connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes the control of the water heater in a predetermined number unit, and the system controller includes: A hierarchical structure in which a predetermined number of units are integrated into a higher-level system controller, and each water heater connected to the system can be controlled by the highest-level system controller; A fourth feature is that an operation start command means for starting the operation of the water heater of the controller and an operation prohibition command means for prohibiting the operation of the water heater of the remaining system controller when transmitted to the system controller are provided. . According to the fourth feature, the water heaters under the control of each system controller do not start to operate separately, and the hot water supply operation control is performed for each of the group of water heaters integrated into one group. It is possible to reliably control the increase and decrease of the number of water heaters. Further, the water heater system of the present invention includes a water heater connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes the control of the water heater in a predetermined number unit, and the system controller includes: A hierarchical structure in which a predetermined number of units are integrated into a higher-level system controller, and each water heater connected to the system can be controlled by the highest-level system controller; Operation start command means for starting operation of the water heater of the controller, operation prohibition command means for prohibiting operation of the water heater of the remaining system controller when transmitted to the system controller, and operation of the water heater in response to the hot water supply request A fifth feature is that a means for canceling the prohibition is provided. According to the fifth feature, the water heaters under the control of each system controller do not start to operate separately, and the hot water supply operation control is sequentially performed for each of the group of water heaters integrated into one group. In addition, the control of increasing or decreasing the number of water heaters can be reliably performed. Further, the water heater system of the present invention includes a water heater connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes the control of the water heater in a predetermined number unit, and the system controller includes: A hierarchical structure is provided in which a predetermined number of units are integrated into a higher-level system controller, and each of the water heaters connected to the system can be controlled by the highest-level system controller. The sixth feature is that a means is provided for stopping the operation of the integrated water heater and prohibiting the flow rate adjustment according to the number of operating water heaters integrated by another system controller. 6th above
According to the feature of the above, the operation of the water heater under the control of one operating system controller is always stopped by the operation information of the water heater of the other system controller, and the flow rate adjustment is prohibited. While adjusting the flow rate, the number of hot water heaters used is reduced for each of the hot water heaters integrated by the system controller, and the last of the hot water supply control operation is one hot water heater.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a water heater system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water heater system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The water heater system 1 is a system for connecting and operating a water heater K, and includes a plurality (twelve in the illustrated example) of water heaters K1 to K1.
2, a plurality of system controllers SC1 to SC5 for controlling the number of operating water heaters K1 to K12, and control means 2 provided in the uppermost system controller SC5.

More specifically, the water heaters K1 to K12 are:
As with the conventional water heater system, each of the water heaters K1-K12
Are connected in parallel through a water inlet pipe and a hot water pipe (not shown). In addition, each water heater K1
K12 has a burner and a heat exchanger for heating the water supplied from the water inlet pipe, and a flow control on / off valve with an opening / closing function for adjusting the flow rate of the hot water to the hot water pipe. It can be controlled by a controller provided for each K12. The flow control on-off valve may separately control flow adjustment and open / close the passage.

On the other hand, the system controllers SC1 to SC
5 includes lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 located at a lower layer as shown in the figure and an upper system controller SC5 located at an upper layer of the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4. SC4 has a hierarchical structure in which its control is consolidated by a higher-level system controller SC5.

Specifically, the lower order system controllers SC1 to SC4 and the upper order system controller SC5 are connected via a communication line (for example, a two-core communication line) L so that control data can be mutually transmitted and received. Is done. Also, the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4 and the water heater K1
To K12 are also connected via the communication line L,
Transmission and reception of control data can be performed between them.

Here, in the illustrated water heater system, the system controllers SC1 to SC5 are composed of a lower layer and an upper layer. It is also possible to configure the system with two or more layers as appropriate according to the number of connected devices. The upper and lower relationships indicate the connection relationship between the system controllers SC, and the actually used system controllers SC may be the same or different system controllers.

In the illustrated example, three water heaters K are connected to the lower system controllers SC1 to SC4, respectively.
This is because three hot water heater connecting portions (not shown) provided in C1 to SC4 are provided, and four hot water heater connecting portions are provided. , A lower system controller SC is provided for four water heaters K. In other words, the water heater K is connected to the lower-level system controller SC in accordance with the number of water heater connection parts provided in the system controller SC, in other words, in units of the number of these connection parts.

In the illustrated example, one upper-level system controller SC5 is provided for the lower-level system controllers SC1 to SC4. This is a connection for connecting the lower-level system controller to the upper-level system controller SC5. This is because four units (not shown) are provided. Of course, also in this case, the lower system controller is connected to the upper system controller in units of the number of connection units for system controller connection. And
The remote controller RC1 is provided in the system controller located at the top of such a hierarchical structure. The remote controller RC1 is an operation device for remotely operating the present system, and is an operation unit for performing various operations such as turning on / off the operation of the system 1 and setting of hot water temperature by communicating with the system controller SC5. And a display unit for displaying information provided via the system controller SC5.

In the water heater system 1, each of the system controllers SC1 to SC5 has a microcomputer mounted thereon, and a program of the microcomputer of the uppermost system controller SC5 is provided with the following control processing means. Have been.

Operation start command means 3 provided in control means 2
Means for sending a signal from the highest-level system controller SC5 to a specific system controller to start the operation of the water heater under the control of the particular system controller and sequentially sending an operation start signal to the next system controller; Specifically, in this embodiment, first, an operation start command is transmitted to the water heater K1 under its control to the system controller SC1, and an operation start signal is sequentially transmitted to another system controller.

The operation prohibition command means 4 provided in the control means 2
Is a means for sending a signal for prohibiting the operation of the water heater so as not to start the operation of the water heater under the control of the remaining system controller when a signal is sent from the operation start command means 3 to the specific system controller. is there. Specifically, in this embodiment, the highest-level system controller SC
5 transmits an operation start command to the system controller SC1 to the water heater K1 under its control, the operation prohibition command means 4 is simultaneously operated, and the system controllers SC2 to SC4 other than the system controller SC1 are controlled by the operation prohibition command means 4. A signal is sent to postpone the operation of the water heater. In addition, the water heater K under the umbrella of the system controller SC1 based on the request for increasing the amount of hot water used.
When the capacity is insufficient with only 1 to K3, the system controller SC5 switches to another system controller SC2.
When the operation start command is transmitted to SC4 to SC4, the operation prohibition command is canceled and the operation of the water heaters under the control of the other system controllers SC2 to SC4 is sequentially started.

The flow control prohibition command means 5 provided in the control means 2 is a means for sending a signal prohibiting the flow control operation of the water heater integrated by the system controller.
As will be described later, prohibition of flow rate adjustment of the water heaters integrated by one system controller is executed according to the number of operating water heaters or the order of operation of the water heaters integrated by another system controller.

The operation stop command means 6 provided in the control means 2 is a means for sending a signal to stop the operation of the hot water heater in operation as described later, and is integrated by one system controller. The stop of the combustion operation of the water heater is executed in accordance with the number of water heaters operated by another system controller.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
In the water heater system 1 of the present embodiment, the number of operating water heaters K at the start of hot water supply is set to one specific water heater as an initial setting of the system controller SC5.
That is, in the initial setting, when a hot water supply or the like connected to the tapping pipe is opened and a hot water supply request is made, first, only one specific water heater K1 is operated to perform hot water supply according to the hot water supply request. Is set to Specifically, the water heater K1 is sent from the operation start command means 3 of the system controller SC5 to the lower specific system controller SC1.
Is transmitted (step S1). The lower system controller SC1 transmits an operable command signal to one of the connected water heaters (K1 in the illustrated example). As a result, the controller of the water heater K1 shifts to an operation standby state, and when the callan is opened in this state, the water heater K1 starts operating.

At the same time as sending an operation start command to the water heater K1 under the control of the system controller SC1, the operation prohibition command means 4 is activated, and the system controllers SC2 to SC4 other than the system controller SC1 are operated.
A signal is sent so as to postpone the operation of the water heater under the umbrella of the group (step S2).

When the curan is opened, the operation of only the water heater K1 under the specific system controller SC1 is started to start hot water supply (step S3). Further, if the hot water supply capability of the water heater K1 alone cannot meet the user's hot water supply request, the system controller SC1
Increases the number of operating water heaters K in the order of the water heaters K2 and K3 under its umbrella (step S4). As a result, the water heater starts the temporary operation in a certain order.

If the capacity of the water heaters K1 to K3 belonging to the system controller SC1 is insufficient (YES in step S5), the upper system controller SC5 switches to the lower system controller SC2.
(Step S6), and when the system controller SC2 receives the command, the operation prohibition command is released, the system controller SC2 starts operation, and the system controller SC2 starts operating.
1 and the system controller SC2 to control the number of operating units (step S7).

Further, when the amount of the hot water supply request is increased and the capacity of the water heaters K1 to K6 under the control of the system controller SC1 and the system controller SC2 becomes insufficient (Yes in step S8), the lower system controller SC5 switches to the lower system controller SC5. (Step S9), and when the system controller SC3 receives the command, the operation prohibition command is released and the system controller SC3 is released.
1, the system controller SC2 and the system controller SC3 are controlled by the number of operating units (step S10).

In other words, the lower system controller responds to the hot water supply request by controlling the number of operating water heaters by the operation start command from the upper system controller, thereby controlling the water heater K.
The processing for sequentially operating 7 to K9 is performed. Then, although not described in the flow, the system controller SC5 similarly transmits an operation start command to the lower-level system controller SC4 with an increase in the amount of the hot water supply request.
The water heater K1 is sequentially operated from the water heater K1.

As described above, in the water heater system according to the present embodiment, the water heaters under the control of each system controller do not start to operate in each section, and the water heaters are grouped into a group and are sequentially turned on. Is performed, and control for increasing the number of water heaters can be ensured.

Next, the flow rate adjustment will be described. During the above hot water supply operation, if a request for reducing the amount of hot water supply is made, the flow rate adjustment of the water heaters under the control of other system controllers is prohibited according to the number of water heaters operated by the system controller that last received the operation start command. The hot water supply flow rate is controlled. Here, the flow rate adjustment refers to control for increasing or decreasing the combustion amount in accordance with the increase or decrease of the hot water supply amount so as to attain a predetermined hot water temperature.

Specifically, in the water heater system of the present embodiment, the water heaters under the control of the other system controllers SC1 and SC2 are controlled according to the number of water heaters operated by the system controller SC3 which last received the operation start command. The flow rate adjustment is prohibited.

That is, when the number of water heaters under the control of the system controller SC3 is two or more (in the case of NO in step S11), the flow rate is adjusted by the water heaters under the control of the system controller SC3. (Step S12), and a command to prohibit flow adjustment is sent from the flow control prohibition command means 5 of the host system controller SC5 to the other system controllers SC1 and SC2 (Step S13). Therefore, the water heaters under the control of the system controllers SC1 and SC2 perform the full combustion operation without adjusting the flow rate. When a further reduction request is made from this state (step S29), the number of operating water heaters under the control of the system controller SC3 is sequentially reduced and reduced (step S30).

When the number of operating water heaters under the control of the system controller SC3 has been reduced to one (K7) (Yes in step S11), if there is no request to reduce the amount (Yes in step S14), The flow rate is adjusted in accordance with the operation status of the system controller of the lower rank that has received the operation start command.

That is, when the number of operating water heaters under the control of the system controller SC3 is reduced to one, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow rate regulation prohibition command to the system controller SC2 is released, and the system controller SC2 is under the control of the system controller SC2. The flow control is started by three water heaters (K4, K5, K6) (step S16). At the same time, a flow control prohibition command is transmitted to the other system controller SC1 and the system controller SC3 (step S17). Therefore, the water heaters under the control of the system controllers SC1 and SC3 cannot perform the flow rate adjustment and operate in the full combustion mode.

When the number of operating water heaters of the system controller SC3 which has finally received the operation start command is large, the flow rate is adjusted by the water heater and the water heater of the system controller SC3 which has finally received the operation start command is provided. When the number of operating water heaters is small (in the case of one water heater), the flow rate of the water heater is adjusted according to the number of operating water heaters or the operation order of the other system controllers.

Next, the stop of the operation of the water heater will be described. Here, stopping the operation of the water heater refers to stopping the combustion operation of the water heater that has been operating so far and stopping the hot water supply. In step S16, the system controller S
When the flow rate is adjusted by the water heater under the umbrella of C2 and the amount is reduced (step S18), the flow rate cannot be adjusted because the flow rate adjustment prohibition command has been issued to the system controllers SC1 and SC3. .

Thus, the water heater under the control of the system controller SC2 is directed to the direction of extinguishing the fire by reducing the amount of hot water depending on the degree of weight reduction. And the system controller SC2
In the case where one or more hot water heaters are provided under the umbrella (when there is a margin in the hot water supply capacity for one hot water heater), in the embodiment of the present invention,
The operation of the water heater K7 under the control of the system controller SC3 that has been operating so far and last transmitted the operation start command is stopped (step S19).

That is, the operation of the water heaters integrated by one system controller is stopped in accordance with the number of operating water heaters integrated by another system controller. In other words, when the authority to adjust the flow is transferred to a system controller other than the last operated system controller SC3, the system controller SC2 after the transfer is transferred.
The operation of the water heaters under the control of the system controller before the shift is stopped in accordance with the reduced number of the water heaters under the umbrella under the control. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of one remaining unit in the group of water heaters in which the flow rate cannot be adjusted.

Then, in response to a further reduction request (step S20), the number of water heaters under the control of the system controller SC2 is reduced, and when the number of water heaters is reduced to one (step S15), the authority to adjust the flow rate shifts to the next. Go to step.

In the same manner as described above, with respect to the flow rate adjustment and the operation stop, the flow rate adjustment is performed by the water heater under the control of the system controller SC1 (step S22) as shown in FIG. Since the flow rate adjustment prohibition command has been issued to the system controller SC2 (step S23), the flow rate cannot be adjusted by the water heater K4. System controller S depending on the degree of weight loss
The water heater under the umbrella of C1 is heading in a direction to extinguish the fire by reducing the amount of hot water. Then, when one or more water heaters are vacant under the control of the system controller SC1 (step S24),
The operation stop command means 6 sends an operation stop signal to the water heater K4 belonging to the system controller SC2 which has been operating so far to stop the operation (step S25), and thereafter the water heaters K1 to K3 belonging to the system controller SC1. And the number is controlled. As described above, the flow rate adjustment prohibition command to the system controller SC2 is executed according to the number of operating water heaters of the system controller SC1.

When the number of water heaters under the control of the system controller SC1 is reduced to one (K1) (in the case of Yes in step S26), the flow rate is adjusted by the last water heater.
By closing the callan (step S27), the hot water supply operation ends (step S28).

The above-described embodiment shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope. For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the initially set number of units at the start of operation is set to one is shown, but two units may be used in order to increase the hot water supply start speed, and in this case, the last one of the two units finish. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the water heater main body and the remote controller are connected by wire is illustrated, but it is also possible to link them with each other by a wireless method. Further, the water heater using gas as a fuel has been described, but it is needless to say that a water heater using oil as a fuel may be used.

[0040]

According to the water heater system of the present invention, when the amount of hot water is reduced, the water heater under the control of one operating system controller always operates as the water heater of the other system controller. The operation is stopped by the information, and the number of hot water heaters used is reduced for each water heater integrated by the system controller, and the last of the hot water supply control operation is one water heater. Further, according to the present invention, the flow rate adjustment control of the water heater integrated by another system controller is prohibited according to the number of operating water heaters integrated by the system controller. Is specified, the flow rate adjustment control is not performed for each water heater of each system controller as in the related art, and the number of the water heaters for which the flow rate adjustment is performed in accordance with the decrease in the amount of hot water is sequentially reduced. Becomes Further, according to the present invention, the water heaters under the control of each system controller do not start to operate separately, and the hot water supply operation control is performed for each of the group of hot water heaters integrated into a group, so that the number of water heaters is reduced. The control of the increment and decrement can be reliably performed. In addition, according to the present invention, the hot water heaters under the control of each system controller do not start to operate separately, and the hot water heater operation control is sequentially performed for each of the group of hot water heaters. It is possible to reliably control the increase and decrease of the number. Further, in the present invention,
The water heater under the control of one operating system controller always stops its operation and prohibits the flow rate adjustment based on the operation information of the water heaters of the other system controllers. The number of hot water heaters used is decremented for each water heater integrated by the system controller, and the last hot water supply control operation is performed for one hot water heater.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a water heater system showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot-water heater system 2 Control means 3 Operation start command means 4 Operation prohibition command means 5 Flow control prohibition command means 6 Operation stop command means K1 to K12 Water heaters SC1 to SC4 System controller (lower system controller) SC5 System controller (higher System controller) RC1 Remote controller

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes control of the water heaters by a predetermined number of units, and the system controller is a unit of a predetermined number of units. A hierarchical structure is provided that is integrated into a higher-level system controller, and each of the water heaters connected to the system can be controlled by the highest-level system controller.
A means for executing an operation stop of the water heater integrated by the system controller according to the number of operating water heaters integrated by another system controller. 2. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes control of the water heaters in a predetermined number of units, and the system controller is a unit in a predetermined number of units. It has a hierarchical structure that is integrated into a higher-level system controller, and enables control of individual water heaters connected to the system by the highest-level system controller, and the hot water supply that is integrated by the system controller A water heater system, comprising means for executing flow control of the water heater in accordance with the number of operating water heaters integrated by another system controller. 3. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes control of the water heaters by a predetermined number of units, and the system controller is a unit of a predetermined number of units. It has a hierarchical structure that is integrated into a higher-level system controller, and enables control of individual water heaters connected to the system by the highest-level system controller, and the hot water supply that is integrated by the system controller A water heater system, comprising means for executing a flow control prohibition of the water heater in accordance with an operation order of the water heater integrated by another system controller. 4. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that integrates control of the water heaters in a predetermined number of units, and a system controller that is a predetermined number of units. A hierarchical structure that is integrated into a higher-level system controller is provided, and each of the water heaters connected to the system can be controlled by the uppermost system controller, and a water heater of a specific system controller is provided. A water heater system comprising: operation start command means for starting operation of the water heater; and operation prohibition command means for prohibiting operation of the water heater of the remaining system controller. 5. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that integrates control of the water heaters in a predetermined number of units, and a system controller that is a predetermined number of units. A hierarchical structure that is integrated into a higher-level system controller is provided, and each of the water heaters connected to the system can be controlled by the uppermost system controller, and a water heater of a specific system controller is provided. Operation start command means for starting the operation of the water heater, operation prohibition command means for prohibiting the operation of the water heater of the remaining system controller, and means for canceling the operation prohibition of the water heater in response to a hot water supply request. And water heater system. 6. A water heater that is connected to a water heater system that operates by connecting a plurality of water heaters, a system controller that centralizes control of the water heaters by a predetermined number of units, and the system controller is a unit of a predetermined number of water heaters. It has a hierarchical structure that is integrated into a higher-level system controller, and enables control of individual water heaters connected to the system by the highest-level system controller, and the hot water supply that is integrated by the system controller A water heater system comprising means for executing operation stop of the water heater and prohibition of flow rate adjustment in accordance with the number of water heaters operated by another system controller.