How to Limit Solar Hot Water Heater Repairs
Solar hot water heaters are a good option if you would like to keep your energy bills manageable. However, the savings that you make on your energy bill can be wiped out if your solar hot water heater keeps developing defects that drive up repair costs. This article discusses some measures that you can take to minimise the frequency of repairs to your solar hot water heater.
Keep the Auxiliary Power Switch On
Many solar hot water heaters are designed to use a secondary power source, such as electricity or gas to heat water in case it is a cloudy or a rainy day. Some people try to limit how much power is used by switching the auxiliary power switch off during certain hours of the day. They later turn the switch back on. The components of that switch can wear out quickly if you keep flipping the switch. This premature aging can result in frequent repairs to the switch mechanism. Avoid this premature aging by leaving the switch on. The hot water system will only revert to the auxiliary power once solar energy is insufficient to heat the water to the desired temperature.
Pick the Right System
Some solar hot water heaters may not be suitable for use in places that have a high level of minerals in the water. You may repair such a solar hot water heater frequently if you use one where the water is harder than the system was designed for. It is therefore advisable for you to consult the installer about the water-hardness tolerance levels of your system in case it keeps breaking down. Exchange the system for a more appropriate one if the minerals in your water supply affect the efficiency of the solar hot water heater.
Install Freeze Protection
Some areas may be prone to very cold winters that are beyond the solar hot water heater's capacity to withstand. Some solar water heaters may have an inbuilt protection system that automatically circulates warm water through the solar collectors during cold conditions. Others may not have that inbuilt system. You can minimise frost damage repairs to your system by installing a frost protection system to prevent frost damage. Contact the supplier of your system for advice on a protection system that is compatible with your solar hot water heater.
Implement the preventive measures above because they are likely to be more affordable when compared to the disruptions and costs of repairing a solar hot water heater system. Be sure to contact a local service, such as a specialist in solar hot water repairs in Perth, to check out your system.