How we do it Video Series – Servicing a solar hot water system

This video takes you through the steps of how we inspect and service your Hot Water System at Essendon Plumbing Services. If you can’t watch the video right now, read on below for a rundown of how Matt sorted out this client’s Hot water problem.

“Hi my name's Matt from Essendon Plumbing Services. What we have here is a complex plumbing installation of an Apricus solar hot water unit , with evacuated tubes on the roof area, which delivers hot water to the house area.

The main issues you can have with these units is that they run through a tempering valve, which delivers the hot water to the house. This is a high performance tempering valve design for solar systems. This delivers the temperature to the house, it regulates it down to 50 degrees. If that tempering valve fails, you can have fluctuating temperatures or excessive temperatures. Now you will need to call a licensed plumber to change this valve, they're specific to each unit, which sets the temperature to 50 degrees to the house. If you were to put in any sort of valve, you can possibly have burn injuries or fluctuating temperatures delivered to the house.

The other issues you may have is the relief valve off the tank itself. This needs to be operated once every six months. So you just pull the lever on the valve itself, switch it off, and the water should stop. You will need a licensed plumber to change this valve if it seems to fail or is running water. Each relief valve is specific to each tank and unit, so the right relief valve needs to be put in. If an incorrect installation was done, the tank won't operate properly, pressures will fluctuate. And in worst case scenarios, the tank can actually blow.

They are the main issues within the system itself. You also have a Rinnai booster, which if required needs to boost the temperatures to the house. These have filters on them, which needs to be cleaned periodically. This particular unit has a line strainer on the cold inlet feed, which should be cleaned out periodically. Best case is to call a licensed plumber to do this as the unit will need to be isolated, the filter disconnected, cleaned out, put back in and everything turned back on again. When everything's turned back on, obviously you need to carry out your checks with your gas, your water, and your delivery water.

It's important to service your hot water system on a regular basis to prevent expensive repairs and leaks. Call us at Essendon Plumbing Services and experience the difference of a plumbing service that goes above and beyond.