C
HAPTER
5:
M
AINTENANCE
Cold Weather Operation/Winterizing Procedures
•
If installed according to this manual, the solar collectors should drain automatically each time the pump cycles
off. There are no special requirements for winterizing the solar collectors. The pool piping should be winterized
as per your normal practice.
•
In some areas, pool owners operate their pools throughout the winter although light freezing conditions may
occur. If the system can not be drained and isolated, the accepted procedure for avoiding freezing of the pool
piping and filtration system has been to continuously circulate the water.
When solar heaters are used on a pool under these conditions, anti-freeze precautions should be taken. In order
to protect the collectors as well as appurtenant components such as End Caps and pipe fittings and against
unusual or severe freezing conditions, one of the following two procedures should be followed when freezing
weather is imminent.
1. Turn circulating system off and allow solar collectors and piping to drain. Isolate collectors with gate or ball
valve in collector feed line and a check valve in the collector return line. Switch the solar control to “OFF” or
“Solar Disabled”. The pool filtering system may then be turned back on. When freezing conditions have
passed, open isolation valve(s) and switch the solar control to “AUTO” or “Solar Enabled”.
2. If isolation valves are not installed in the system, switch the solar control to the “Manual ON” position so
that water circulates through the collectors. When freezing conditions have passed, switch the solar control
to “AUTO” or “Solar Enabled”.
THIS METHOD IS NOT RECOMMENDED WHERE
TEMPERATURE LEVELS MAY DROP SEVERELY.
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