. The solar water heater has become very popular in our country since it allows us to use one of our most important and abundant natural resources, the sun, to be warm all year round at a very low cost. There are however some basic things about solar water heaters that we are not well aware of and that is the fact that our water heater needs maintenance.
Why does solar water heater maintenance need to be done?
Proper and regular maintenance of the solar system will ensure its proper operation and maximize its efficiency. In addition, small damages and faults will be prevented which, if left untreated, are very likely to develop into very serious problems that will cause great damage to the water heater or even its destruction. Finally, a water heater that is not maintained can become a hotbed of germs and harmful microorganisms, putting the user's health at risk.
Solar water heaters maintenance: how is it done?
For the maintenance and proper operation of the water heater, there are some tasks that can be done by the owner – as long as he has easy access to his solar panel – and others that require a plumber.
What tasks the owner can do
It is good for the owner of the water heater at the end of the summer to visit his solar water heater and clean the collector with water and some cleaner – soap or some glass cleaner is enough – so that it collects as much light as possible. It goes without saying that at this stage a visual inspection should also be done for any damages and leaks. If something "suspicious" is observed, an expert should be notified immediately.
What tasks should a plumber undertake?
1: Boiler internal cleaning:
The external cleaning of solar water heaters can be done by its owner, but to clean it from the inside in order to remove the salts, mud and other particles from its daily use, a professional plumber will have to intervene.
2: Change Anode:
All boilers now have an anode, with the exception of the copper ones, which are also very old. The anode, essentially a magnesium rod, must be changed regularly to avoid a chemical reaction known as electrolysis, which can puncture the boiler. The reason that this work needs to be done regularly – every two years – is the fact that the water services have replaced their copper pipes with plastic ones, resulting in the phenomenon of electrolysis, which was not a problem in the past.
3: Solar maintenance with antifreeze:
Modern closed circuit solar heaters need antifreeze to keep the water inside the circuit from freezing on cold winter nights, rendering the water heater useless. Topping up antifreeze is necessary for comprehensive maintenance of a closed circuit solar water heater and should be done after summer as the heat causes the said liquid to evaporate.
4: Resistor flange replacement:
This is an extremely necessary maintenance task that ensures that no leaks will occur that will damage the electric parts of the water heater.
How often should solar maintenance be done?
It is good that the solar water heater is maintained once a year, preferably after the summer and before the winter cold. Autumn is the most suitable season.
Solar cost maintenance: Request a quote for better prices
Solar water heater maintenance costs depend on the parts that will be needed, so they are likely to be higher some years than others, since an anode may need to be changed or some other work that is not done every year. In any case, it is good to be given an indicative offer for the maintenance of your solar water heater by the specialist so that you know approximately where the price will fluctuate.
