lp-606 Rev. 000 Rel. 006 Date 2.19.20
12
Following installation of the T&P Relief Valve, the valve lever
MUST be operated AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR by the water heater
owner to ensure that waterways are clear.
Certain naturally
occurring mineral deposits may adhere to the valve, blocking
waterways and rendering the valve inoperative. When the lever
is operated, hot water will discharge if the waterways are clear.
PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY FROM
CONTACT WITH HOT WATER AND TO AVOID PROPERTY DAMAGE.
BEFORE operating lever, check to see that a discharge line is
connected to the valve, directing the flow of hot water from the
valve to a proper place of disposal. If no water flows when the lever
is operated, replacement of the valve is required. TURN THE WATER
HEATER “OFF”
AND CALL A PLUMBER IMMEDIATELY.
A. Shutdown Procedures
To isolate the water heater, simply shut down supply water shut off
valve which isolates the water heater from the pressurized cold water
supply.
The collector loop can be isolated from the solar storage tank by
closing shut off valves. If the pressure in this loop drops, or you find a
glycol leak, shut these valves and contact your installation contractor.
Turn the circulating pump off on your solar control.
C. Estimated Life of Components
Proper care and maintenance will determine the life expectancy of the
individual components of the solar system. Refer to manufacturer’s
warranty information to determine coverage of individual
components. To obtain warranty service, call your local service or
installing contractor.
B. Vacation Shutdown
Solar water heaters can build up very high temperatures when there
is no daily draw on the system. The best way to dissipate heat in the
system is set the control to run the circulator pump 24 hours a day to
cool off the storage tank at night. The collector will radiate heat back
to the atmosphere at night, preventing the system from stagnating at
very high temperatures.
D. Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
A temperature and pressure relief (T&P) valve is designed for
emergency safety relief and shall not be used as an operating control. A
T&P valve functions by discharging water in an emergency. Therefore,
it is essential that a discharge line be piped from the valve in order to
carry the overflow to a safe place of disposal. The discharge line must
be the same size as the valve outlet, must pitch downward from the
valve, and terminate at least 6” above a drain where any discharge will
be clearly visible.
Part 5 - Troubleshooting
Owners are advised to contact the installer whenever in-depth
interaction with the solar system is required.
A. Leaks
For leaks in the potable water system or solar storage tank, close the
cold water inlet and unplug the solar controller. This will isolate the
solar system until repairs can be made.
B. Other Problems
A noisy pump could be an indication of worn bearings, obstructions,
or a leak in your system. Call your installer for diagnosis of the problem,
repair of the system, and/or replacement of components.
For your safety, DO NOT attempt repair of electrical wiring,
thermostat, heating element or other operating controls. Refer
repairs to qualified service personnel. Failure to do so could result
in serious personal injury or death.
C. Operating Suggestions for the User
A properly designed solar hot water system provides solar energy
for approximately 70 – 90% of annual hot water needs. Listed below
are some suggestions that will maximize the benefits of your solar
hot water system.
1. Showers - If possible, take showers during the day, or in the
early evening. Use low flow showerheads to reduce water
consumption.
2. Dishwashing – Run your dishwasher during the day, after
showers, to ensure as much hot water as possible is available
for showers.
3. Laundry – Spread clothes washing over the week instead of
washing all at the same time.
4. Single Lever Faucets – When using cold water, make sure the
lever is all the way over in the cold position. This prevents
hot water from inadvertently flowing from the solar storage
tank.
The risk of scald injury increases as you increase water
temperature. Use a water tempering or mixing valve and extreme
caution when using hot water to avoid scald injury. Consult codes
for conformance. Failure to follow the instructions in this warning
statement could result in serious personal injury or death from
scalds.
Be sure to disconnect electrical power before performing service.
Failure to do so could result in electrical shock, property damage,
serious personal injury, or death.