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company that supplied and installed the system. Any other system troubleshooting, adjustments, or
repairs may be completed ONLY by authorized persons.
A. NO HOT WATER
If there is no hot water, the problem will generally be related to the gas or electric heating system, not the
solar collector. The collector simply pre-heats water, with final boosting completed by the electric element
or gas booster system. For a retrofitted solar system, please contact the manufacturer/installer of your
gas/electric water heater. For a new solar water heating system, please contact the company that
supplied and installed the system.
B. REDUCED SOLAR CONTRIBUTION
Solar contribution is directly related to the amount of solar radiation and the volume of hot water used.
During the winter and periods of rainy or particularly overcast weather, the amount of energy produced by
the solar collector will be greatly reduced.
As a general rule, the solar collector is sized to provide close to 100% of your summer hot water needs,
which, depending on your location and hot water usage patterns, may result in between 40% - 70% of
your annual hot water energy needs. During the winter, increased cloud cover and reduced solar radiation
levels may result in solar contribution as low as 20%. This is normal.
If, given similar environmental conditions, you feel the solar contribution (as indicated by energy savings)
has considerably reduced, there may be a problem with your solar heating system. This may be due to an
incorrectly configured controller, pump malfunction, or problem with the boosting system. In such cases,
please contact the company who supplied and installed the system.
INVESTIGATION
(H)
1. Does the circulation pump appear to be operating? In sunny weather, the circulation pump should
come on for 1 – 2 minutes ever 3 – 5 minutes. The pump may run very quietly. You may need to touch
the pump, or piping running to and from the pump, with a solid object to feel for motor operation (slight
vibration).
NOTE: DO NOT USE FINGERS! THE PUMP MAY BE HOT!
(H)
2. Are there any apparent leaks in the plumbing to and from the collector? Any water trails down the
roof, or around the storage tank?
C. REGULAR WATER DUMPING
During normal daily hot water use, if the temperature relief valve on the tank or collector is regularly
dumping hot water (more than just a dribble), there may be a problem with the system.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. The system has been sized incorrectly (oversized). This will be most apparent in the summer months,
when solar radiation levels are high.
2. A problem exists with the electric heating thermostat (electric boosting only).
3. Check expansion tank size. If undersized, water expansion may cause the relief valve to activate.
INVESTIGATION
(H)
To test the system, run the hot water tap in the bathroom or kitchen for 5 minutes to release some
heat from the system (
CAUTION: THE WATER WILL BE HOT. BE CAREFUL.)
After this period, if the
tank or collector still regularly dumps hot water, there is a problem. Please contact the company who
supplied and installed the system to organize a service call.
Summary of Contents for FP-26SC
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