Service & Repairs
Just like you need to service your car regularly, solar hot water and energy systems need routine maintenance and inspection to keep them running smoothly. It’s easy to overlook how much we rely on our hot water system until it fails, preventing hot water for showers, cooking and washing up. It is recommended that each solar hot water system receives routine maintenance every 4-5 years to ensure that the system is running optimally.
Routine maintenance for your solar hot water system is relatively straightforward. Your qualified solar technician will check the quality of the anodes, valves, boosters and elements, to ensure good condition and functionality. If neglected, the essential components may become corroded or blocked, resulting in inconvenience or even a safety hazard.
Solar Plumb Solutions’ fully licenced and experienced tradesmen are available to service or repair all brands of solar hot water systems in the Perth metro area.
Sacrificial Anodes
- A sacrificial anode is a metal rod that is fitted inside your hot water tank.
- The anode attracts the electrolytes more than the tank walls, which means that the sacrificial anode corrodes rather than the tank.
- Should be replaced every 2-5 years, depending on the quality of the anode and the water quality, to maximise the life of the tank.
- If the sacrificial anode is not replaced when it needs to be, the lifespan of the tank is decreased.
- Stainless steel tanks don’t have sacrificial anodes, because they are galvanised and don’t corrode, which is why stainless steel tanks last longer.
Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR) Valves.
- A temperature and pressure relief valve is fitted to all hot water tank as a secondary safety measure.
- If the temperature or pressure of the water in the tank gets too high, the valve automatically vents hot water or pressure.
- The valve can become blocked or calcified and reduce the amount of available hot water.
- A malfunctioning TPR can be a serious safety hazard, with the potential for the tank to explode.
- Should be replaced every 2 years.
Solar Panels
- Solar panels are very low maintenance as there are no moving parts.
- It’s recommended that the panels are wiped down every 6-12 months to remove dust and dirt, to maintain maximum heating efficiency.
- Normal water based solar panels should be flushed during service to remove the build-up of sludge from within the panels.
- Glycol levels need to be maintained in Glycol-based systems, to maintain anti-freeze protection.
Additional valves are also inspected during service. The temperature limited valve, for example, prevents scolding burns, and cold valves reduce hot water pressure. All components of your solar hot water or energy system are important, and should be routinely inspected and maintained to prevent detrimental consequences.