Solar Water Heater Service & Repair Company in Malaysia

NOT ENOUGH HOT WATER (OR NO HOT WATER)

This can occur with new installations and is normally related to some misunderstandings as to the use of the booster heating unit.

Insufficient sunlight

Insufficient sunlight due to cloudy weather during hotter months or low solar energy contribution in colder months may mean the booster heating unit is required to boost more often.

Ensure the booster heating unit is being used as advised. Turn on the back up heater switch.

Booster heating unit not operating

Inspect the isolating switch marked “HOT WATER” or “WATER HEATER” at the switchboard and ensure it is turned “ON”.

Check the timer (if one is installed) and it’s settings to ensure power is available to the booster heating unit.

Note: Check the electricity supply to which the unit is connected. If on an Off-Peak or time controlled supply, remember heating hours are restricted.

Check the fuse marked “HOT WATER” or “WATER HEATER” at the switchboard.

Green LED is off or red LED is flashing on Solar Monitor

If the green LED is off or the red LED is flashing on the Solar Monitor label, there may be a problem with the solar water heater operation and solar gain is not being achieved. This will result in the booster heating unit operating to provide all of the hot water required.

Switch off the electrical supply at the power outlet to the solar control unit for a few seconds, then switch on again.

If the green LED remains off or the red LED recommences to flash, then count the number of flashes and phone your nearest Solahart Dealer to arrange for an inspection.

Collectors shaded

If trees or other objects shade the solar collectors or if the glass is dirty, the effectiveness of the solar collectors will be greatly reduced. Have the trees trimmed or the solar collectors relocated if the obstruction is permanent or clean the collector glass

Collector area is too small

For most installations, the number of solar collectors recommended in BWS  literature has been proven to provide the required solar energy to meet the average family needs. However, in some circumstances, it may be necessary to install an additional solar collector.

Air in collectors (no solar gain)

It is possible under certain conditions, such as when the pipe work has been opened, that air may become trapped in the solar collectors. This will prevent the circulator from moving water around the collector circuit. The air will need to be purged from the solar collectors

Are you using more hot water than you think?

Is one outlet (especially the shower) using more hot water than you think?

Very often it is not realised the amount of hot water used, particularly when showering. Carefully review the family’s hot water usage. As you have installed an energy saving appliance, energy saving should also be practised in the home. Adjust your water usage pattern to take advantage of maximum solar gains.

Have your plumber install a flow control valve to each shower outlet to reduce water usage.

Temperature pressure relief valve running

Is the relief valve discharging too much water?

Thermostat setting

Ensure the thermostat setting is appropriate. You may choose to have your electrician adjust the thermostat upwards to gain additional hot water capacity when boosting

WATER NOT HOT ENOUGH

You may find that due to heavy hot water usage or low solar energy gain the water temperature may be lower than normally expected. Ensure the booster is being used as advised. If a timer is installed, you will need to carefully plan your use of the booster heating unit to boost the water temperature on such occasions

A lower water temperature may also be noticed in the morning when the booster heating unit has not been energised overnight. This in particular may be experienced during periods of low solar energy gain, or if there has been heavy hot water usage the previous night.

NOISE FROM THE SOLAR COLLECTORS

During periods of higher solar radiation or lower hot water usage and the solar storage tank is full of hot water, the water heater may undergo Over-temperature operation. If this mode of operation has occurred and the circulator has deactivated, the water in the solar collectors will continue to gain heat and increase in pressure when solar radiation is still available. This increase in heat and pressure is greater when higher performing selective surface solar collectors are installed compared to nonselective surface collectors.

When a hot tap is opened, this pressure is released and the high temperature water may turn to steam creating a sudden and loud rumbling noise and even a rattling or banging noise of the solar collectors against the roof cladding material. This results from the higher level of solar radiation and the water in the solar storage tank being at its maximum temperature and is not caused by a fault with the solar water heater.