Common Problems With Solar Hot Water

Problems With Solar Hot Water

Solar hot water or solar water heating is an alternative way of heating water without electricity, oil, or gas. Solar water heating has helped homeowners save a lot of money that they would have spent on conventional heating systems. It is not only a convenient heating option but also eco-friendly in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

However, solar hot water options are prone to several problems that call for troubleshooting guides from a professional plumber. You can never carry out the system repairs by yourself unless you have the necessary skills. Before we move into the solar hot water problems, let’s first of all look at the components of a solar hot water system that makes it so unique.

Parts Of A Solar Hot Water System

If you are not familiar with the parts of a solar hot water system, this is the time to broaden your knowledge. The system has five components, each performing specific functions. Knowing these parts and their functions will help you find the root cause of every problem.

Thermal Solar Collectors

Thermal solar collectors can either be on the roof or somewhere in the yard. They capture and transfer heat from the sun to your water. There are two forms of thermal solar collectors; evacuated tube cylinders and flat plate panels. Flat plate panels are similar to PV (Photovoltaic) solar panels, while evacuated tube cylinders look like a series of tubes with antifreeze liquid or water running through.

Water Supply Tank

While solar collectors are responsible for generating vital energy, the supply tank also plays an influential role. It has the appropriate insulation that keeps the water warm even during the night when there are no sun rays. It can either be on the roof or anywhere in your compound.

Heat Transfer System / Heat Exchanger

The role of a heat exchanger in the solar water system is to ensure that solar energy reaches your water tank. In most cases, the heat transfer system constitutes a network of pipes that sends the hot fluid through the hot water tank.

Circulation Pump

A solar hot water system cannot be effective without a circulating or circulation pump. The circulation pump controls the flow within the system with the help of adjustments on the cold and hot water lines. First of all, the pump sends hot water into the faucets and tank from the system. It then pumps out cold water from the bottom to balance the temperatures when necessary.

External Boost

When the solar energy is not potent enough to meet the hot water demand, the system can still run with an external boost either manually or automatically with the help of electric or gas power. The boost is also part of the solar hot water system, and it is very effective for people living under variable sun conditions and climates. You can hook it up to your energy-generating system or utility lines.

Common Problems With Solar Hot Water Systems

Since you now know parts of the solar hot water system, you will have no problem figuring out where to start in case of a problem. Make yourself familiar with these common solar hot water challenges.

Clogged Pipes

One of the underlying causes of solar hot water problems is sediment buildup in the pipes, which leads to clogging. Blocked drains will always be a threat to your solar hot water system. There will be no clear path within the system, with debris, dirt, and sediment blocking the way. The water heater will strain a lot to heat the water, and the overall efficiency will be very low.

Scaling, Corrosion, and Deterioration

If your solar hot water system is old, it may suffer component damages such as scaling and corrosion, which will result in deterioration. The reason behind this may be because of the use of hard water. Hard water contains calcium that may cause failures and leaks. Oxygen also causes rusting in the pipes if it finds its way into the system.

Heat Transfer Leakage

Although it is scarce for a solar water system to leak heat transfer fluid or water, the damage can be very critical. In most cases, the leaking occurs in the solar thermal collector and pipe, implying damage to the system’s hardware.

Freezing Components

Many homeowners have suffered a lot from freezing pipes, being that the circumstances are always very unpredictable. Freezing occurs in the collectors when there is no power in the solar controller. A problem with the roof sensor may also cause freezing. In an entirely water-based system, it's possible to set components to drain automatically and prevent water from remaining in pipes, freezing, and eventually bursting.

Today, most advanced systems have built-in “freeze sensors” that automatically start necessary actions to prevent cold weather spoilage. Some homeowners sometimes believe that when their pump vibrates and emits a humming sound, then it is working. However, this is also a sign of freezing in the pipes.

Pest Infestations

Although infestations are sporadic, they are devastating whenever they occur. There has been a problem with ant infestations of solar hot water in many homes. In such cases, the ants make their homes inside the system and complicate its efficiency. Ants are likely to short-circuit your system and cause malfunctioning by eating through the insulation and making holes in the lining.

If you come across sand-like deposits at the bottom of your tank, then it is highly likely to be a sign of ant infestation.

Noisy Operation

Some solar-powered water heaters are very noisy at times and seem to be very uncomfortable. When your solar hot water system has such a problem, the controller might be in bad condition.

How To Fix Solar Hot Water Problems

You can easily fix your hot water system once you understand where the problem is coming from. You can fix this by yourself or with the help of a plumber. Try hard to identify the problem before taking any action. You can detect damages and analyse them with professional assistance.

Clearing the Pipes

Regular maintenance of your solar hot water system involves clearing any sediment buildup or debris. This will increase its efficiency and prolong its lifespan. You can clear the pipes by flushing out the sediments using a cleansing agent. Use the cleansing agent once or twice a year for better results while maintaining the system’s condition.

However, you must take all precautions to avoid further damages. The precautions include turning off water, gas, and electricals attached to the system. Follow the instruction manual of the system for more information.

Preventing Infestation

Although regular inspections can be an excellent approach to insect infestations, you can never know where or when the insects get into your solar hot water system. If you notice any infestations, you should spray insecticides around the system to get rid of them.

Alternatively, you can call a professional or pest control expert to help you with the inspections. They have the tools that can easily detect the infestation before appropriate action is taken.

Fixing Noisy Components

Any noise in your solar hot water system indicates that there is a problem somewhere. You never want to imagine your solar hot water system breaking down any sooner than it needs to. The best solution is to avoid steel or iron components because they can cause galvanic corrosion over time. This galvanic corrosion is responsible for the humming sounds in specific water systems.

You can also install a new controller or a tempering valve. All these require professional assistance.

Repairing Leaks

In instances where leakages occur, it is crucial to contact a professional to help fix the defect quickly. Almost all the time, professionals will suggest you turn the system completely off with the already fixed safety switch. From there, don’t try to fix the leak on your own because you risk spoiling the system’s components.

Fluid leaks can occur anywhere within the heating system, starting with leaky collectors on your roof, the piping, the heat exchangers, and the water storage. Majorly, you can fix these components without having to replace them. However, if such leaks are detected early enough in the lifespan of a system, you must replace faulty parts to reduce the likelihood of more issues.

Preventing Freezing

Hydronic solar water heaters make use of an antifreeze heat transfer fluid to hinder freezing. However, some that use water exclusively are more likely to witness damages from freezing low temperatures. You should turn your system off for leaks as well if you notice any freezing and valve damage.

Contact a professional as fast as possible unless you want to miss your next hot shower. As systems lose efficiency with time, homes with higher demand for hot water (i.e., a new dishwasher or a visitor in that home) can also outgrow the existing solar hot water. It is possible to improve your tank or even add more solar collectors to acquire a lot of hot water in the current system.

Responsible Use

The best way to avoid damages, of course, is to ensure they don’t occur in the first place. You cannot keep your solar hot water in good condition unless you use it responsibly. Although no one would want to miss a hot shower, you must be responsible for how you use the shower. Use a reasonable water temperature whenever you visit the shower and try as much as possible to minimise boosting in the name of meeting demands.

If you have a performance monitor, you should track the values on the display. This way, you will know when the operations are ‘normal’ and any changes in your usage. Try and adopt a healthy usage habit to prolong the lifespan of your solar hot water system.

Troubleshoot The Problem With A Professional

If the constant supply of hot water suddenly dwindles below its standard operation rates, it can be due to several reasons. You might want to contact a professional after inspecting the whole system for breakages, leaks, ware, and any other damage.

Engaging professionals is always the best way to keep your home systems in good condition, and the same applies to your solar hot water system. Professionals are good at fixing such problems with a lot of ease using their high-quality tools.

A faulty auxiliary valve or a significant issue might be the reason behind your solar hot water system not working effectively. Feel free to contact a licensed solar hot water technician to offer a solution. Try and get a reputable plumbing company to handle the plumbing issues.