How to Install a Solar Water Heater – Simple Guide

Installing a solar water heater can slash your annual bill by up to 70%. This shows how powerful renewable energy is. It’s a great way to lower bills and your impact on the planet.

Our solar water heaters are perfect for DIY installation. You don’t need to know anything about solar heating. Everything you need comes in the package. This includes the heating fluid and a drill pump. This pump helps fill and pressurize your system easily.

The manual is thorough, and our team is ready to help if you get stuck. For the roof part, you might want a professional. But the rest is easy for most homeowners. You’ll need just a few basic tools.

Key Takeaways

• Fenice Energy’s DIY pre-engineered solar water heaters are designed for easy installation by homeowners
• The pre-packaged systems come with all necessary components, including heating fluid and a specialized pump
• Detailed installation manuals and excellent customer support are provided to guide you through the process
• Hiring a roofer may be recommended if the solar collectors need to be mounted on the roof
• The rest of the system can be installed by most homeowners with minimal tools

Introduction to Solar Water Heaters

When you set up your solar water heater, find the best spot for its collectors first. This choice is key to how well your system works. It’s important to pick a spot with lots of southern exposure and little shading.

A roof that faces south in the winter is great. But, if it gets shaded by big trees in the summer, your system might not work well. However, if your spot isn’t perfectly south, that’s okay. The vacuum tubes work really well from the southwest to the southeast too.

Benefits of Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating has many perks. It can lower your energy bills, shrink your carbon footprint, and boost your home’s value. Solar water heaters use the sun’s power to heat your water. This cuts a big chunk out of what you pay for hot water.

These systems are also good for the Earth. They use less fossil fuel, which helps our planet. Plus, they move us towards a future that’s more sustainable for everyone.

Types of Solar Water Heaters

There are two key types of solar water heaters: pre-heat systems and supplemental systems. Pre-heat ones have a solar water tank just for storing water. A heating element isn’t used to heat the water in this tank.

The system works by warming water through a heat exchanger. It adds the solar tank to your existing one for more efficiency. This means you’ll mostly use solar-heated water for your showers and other needs.

Then, there are supplemental systems. Here, the solar tank heats the water first. But, if it’s not hot enough, an electric element kicks in. This ensures you have hot water all the time, even at night. Choosing a supplemental system is great for new homes, small spaces, or to replace an old water heater. It uses only one tank, making setup easier and cheaper.

Planning and Preparation

First, figure out how to mount your system. A good starting point: align the collector angle with your location’s latitude. For instance, at latitude 30°N, a 30-degree tilt works best.

For state-of-the-art solar heating systems, like for pools or homes, adjust this number by plus or minus 15 degrees. A 15 degree angle matches the pace when heating a pool in the summer. If you need the system to warm your home in winter, 45 degrees is better.

Site Evaluation and Collector Orientation

Going for a solar water heater kit saves you time. You won’t need lots of trips to the store. Fenice Energy’s kits come with everything you need for a safe installation.

Since they use Arora Flex Stainless Steel Piping, you avoid difficult soldering. Their simple fittings also save you from complex electrical work. Just use a wrench to secure the system. After setup, plug it into a common 110 V outlet to activate.

System Sizing and Component Selection

Choosing the right size and parts for your solar water heater is key to its success. Fenice Energy has a team skilled in this task. They look at your water use, roof area, and weather to suggest what fits your situation.

With their guidance, you’ll get a solar water heater that blends well with your home. This ensures it works efficiently and saves you money.

Installing the Solar Collectors

Solar water heater collectors need to go near the storage tank. They should face the sun directly and have space above. This space keeps the collectors cooler. They must also be tilted slightly to let water flow properly.

Make sure the collectors are level and use the right bolts to fix them. Cover any holes in the roof well to stop leaks.

Mounting Considerations and Safety Precautions

Mount the collectors where they get the most sun. This avoids shadows that can make the system less efficient. Also, it’s important that they are not slanted the wrong way and are well supported to avoid damage.

Lastly, seal any openings in the roof tightly. This protects your home from possible water harm.

Connecting the Collector Array

When connecting the pipes between collectors, make sure they’re even in length. This keeps the water flowing evenly. Put a special valve on the pipes to stop them from freezing in winter. An air vent is needed to let air out and the sensor checks for freezing. All these steps protect the system.

Plumbing and Tank Installation

Put the tank indoors near a 110V electrical plug. Fasten the tank for safety in an earthquake. Add a shut-off valve for the solar system to keep the water flow smooth. Fit a T&P Relief Valve, with the drain lower than 6″ outside. Position the tank sensor on the bottom part, on the threaded stud.

Connecting the Storage Tank

In a solar water heater setup, the tank doesn’t heat water; it stores it. A heat exchanger at the tank’s bottom warms the water. This water then goes into your regular hot water system.

Integrating with Existing Water Heater

In a mix solar system, the solar tank does most of the heating. An electric element helps out when needed, ensuring hot water around the clock. It’s a good choice for new houses, tight spaces, or when you’re changing your old heater. Since it uses a single tank, it’s cost-effective to install.

how to install solar water heater

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Right now, the system has no electricity. The cold water valve is off, collector valves are shut, and the tank is empty. Now, let’s get the system running:

1. (A) Open the main valve to fill the tank and let the air out.
2. (B) Now, open the collector valves to fill them. This step helps clear any debris out.
3. (C) Having filled the collectors, add the air vent and pressurize. A special vent will get rid of any trapped air if you slightly open its plug.
4. (D) When the system’s full, connect and set up the controller. Connect the pump and the controller, then the controller to power. Follow its directions for the best settings.
5. (E) The system runs with sunlight. You’ll feel the return line from the collectors get hot first. Then, it should cool slightly, staying warmer than the feed line.
6. (F) Make sure the electric heater doesn’t come on when it’s sunny.

Filling and Pressurizing the System

The pump needs an air-free system to work. After flushing the collectors, set the air vent and pressurize it. This step ensures there’s no air left inside.

Electrical and Control System Setup

The controller for a solar water heater is a special thermostat. It checks how warm the collectors and the water storage are. If the temperatures are right, it turns a pump on or off. This lets the system work well and safely, even in freezing conditions. It also has a feature that stops the system when it’s too cold outside.

Wiring the Pump and Controller

After filling the solar water system with water, you need to connect the controller and the pump properly. First, follow the detailed guidance provided with the controller. Then, plug the pump into the controller and the controller into a power outlet. Turn the controller to automatic mode. If it’s sunny outside, the system will start working. After a short time, the water coming back from the collectors will be very warm, but it should cool a bit as it reaches the storage tank.

Setting Controller Parameters

To get the best out of your solar water heating system, you’ll need to adjust the controller’s settings. You can decide when the pump comes on or off. You can also set up special features like stopping the system from freezing or preventing the water from getting too hot. It’s important to carefully follow the instructions from the manufacturer to do this right. This will help your system run effectively and without any problems.

System Start-up and Testing

When solar energy is available, the pump works on its own. It moves warm water from the solar water heater system startup collectors. This water goes through the solar storage tank to heat up (130°F to 180°F). The collectors catch the sun’s energy. They then send this heat into the fluid that moves around the system. The controller makes sure the pump starts or stops based on the temperatures it checks.

Before you start using a solar water heater regularly, solar water heater system testing is important. You must make sure everything is correctly set up. This means all parts are well connected, there is no air in the system, and the controller works right. Doing these checks helps you trust that your solar water heater will work well and save energy.

Conclusion

Fenice Energy brings you top-notch clean energy choices like solar and backup systems. They also offer EV charging. With over 20 years of experience, they’re experts in their field.

Sun Ray Solar water heaters are easy to maintain. But they need a bit of care to work well. This keeps them running smoothly for longer.

Keeping a Sun Ray Solar heater in good shape is much like any other water heater. You should check the collectors, pipes, and tank now and then. Doing this keeps everything working well and lasting longer.

When you care for your solar water heater, it lasts a long time. It also cuts down your need for traditional power. This means you spend less on energy. Getting a Sun Ray Solar system from Fenice Energy is an eco-friendly choice. It helps you use clean energy and supports a greener planet.

FAQ

What are the main types of solar water heaters?

There are mainly two kinds of solar water heaters. First is the pre-heat system. It uses the solar water tank for storage only. No heating element heats it. Then, there’s the supplemental system. Here, the solar tank heats the water primarily. An electric element adds heat when needed.

How do I determine the optimal tilt angle for my solar water heater?

To get the best from your heater, match the tilt angle to your location’s latitude. For instance, at 30°N latitude, a 30-degree tilt works. You can adjust this angle by +/- 15 degrees for seasonal needs.

What are the key steps for installing the solar collectors?

Place the collectors close to the storage tank. Choose a spot fully exposed to the sun. Keep at least 1.5′ air gap between the collectors and the roof. They should run in a parallel and sloped manner for water drainage. Also, ensure all roof points are tightly sealed.

How do I properly fill and pressurize the solar water heating system?

Begin by opening the main water valve to clear out any air from the tank. Next, fill the collectors by turning on the isolation valves. This step gets rid of impurities. After that, put in the air vent and pressurize the system. A vent will remove any extra air.

How does the system controller work?

The system controller is like a smart thermostat. It checks both the collector and tank temperatures. It turns the pump on or off depending on these temperatures. It can also protect against freezing and keep temperatures from getting too high.

What kind of maintenance is required for a solar water heater?

Maintaining a solar water heater doesn’t need much effort. But, it’s important to check the collectors, pipes, and tank from time to time. This ensures everything works well over time. Keeping up with maintenance is like taking care of a regular water heater.