Water Heater Wednesday: Solar Water Heater Maintenance
Last week on Water Heater Wednesday, we talked about some of the benefits of solar water heaters. Today we are going to discuss solar water heater maintenance. Just like any other appliance in your home, solar water heaters require regular inspections and maintenance to keep them operating correctly and efficiently. Although solar water heaters generally have a long life span, they may occasionally require some minor repairs or new parts.
To help you out with your solar water heater maintenance, here’s a checklist of things for you to inspect on your solar water heater.
- Collector shading- You should visually inspect for any shading of the collectors several times throughout the day (morning, noon, and afternoon) at least once a year. If the collectors become shaded, their performance can be impacted. As trees grow or new construction occurs around you, shading can occur that wasn’t previously there.
- Collector soiling- Dust or dirt can cause the collectors to perform very poorly. Collectors should be cleaned periodically, especially if you live in a dry or dusty climate.
- Collector glazing and seals- Check for cracks in your collectors and collector glazing and make sure all seals are in top notch condition. If glazing is old and yellowed it may need to be replaced.
- Plumbing, ductwork, and wiring connections- Check for any fluid leaks and make sure all ducts are sealed and wiring is tight.
- Insulation- Make sure to periodically check for damage and degradation of the insulation that covers the pipes, ducts, and wiring.
- Roof penetration- Make sure the flashing and sealant around the roof penetration point is in good condition.
- Nuts and bolts- Make sure the unit is being properly supported and that all nuts and bolts are sturdy and tight.
- Pressure relief valve- Make sure your valve works properly and doesn’t stick in the open or closed position.
- Dampers- Similar to the pressure relief valve, make sure your dampers open and close appropriately and don’t stick.
- Pumps and blowers- Make sure all pumps and blowers are functional. You can do this by listening to see if they come on when the sun is shining on the collectors. If you don’t hear anything come on, you may have a problem.
- Heat transfer fluids- The Antifreeze solutions in liquid solar heating collectors must be replaced periodically.
- Storage systems- Check the storage tanks for any signs of degradation like cracks, leaks, rust, or corrosion.
If you’ve got a solar water heater, make sure to keep up with your solar water heater maintenance by following our check list!
Don’t forget, for all your plumbing needs call the trusted professionals at Masterflo Plumbing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!
