FAQ

FAQ

Triple energy (or dual energy) solar water heaters – Solar water heaters – Titanium selective solar panels – Solar heating

1. What do I gain by using a solar water heater?
By using a solar water heater we save from 40% to 80% savings of energy, and therefore money. This percentage clearly depends on the quality of construction of the collectors and the container of the solar water heater.

2. What should I pay attention to when choosing my solar water heater?
A good solar water heater should have:
a) anodized aluminum outer lining, which is particularly resistant to humid climates, coastal areas and in the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
b) to have a jacket (jacket) for the closed circuit of antifreeze, so that it works properly even in frost and at the same time to protect the collectors from the salts of water, which as are known to be responsible for clogging the collector pipes.
c) to have high density polyurethane insulation (at least 45-50 mm thick) to provide hot water even when the outside temperature is -30 ° C (under zero).
d) The metal construction of the tank to be 3 mm thick and to be constructed in accordance with DIN 4800-5, in order to withstand high network pressures.
e) the tank to is internally enameled with DURO GLASS. This method is considered the most appropriate for the protection of the water tank.
f) The solar water heater should offer the possibility of adding a backup heating element, which can be connected to the radiator, thus achieving greater economy. These are the so-called triple energy solar water heaters.
g) Solar panels should have ventilation holes to avoid the creation of internal water vapor due to the temperature difference, especially in winter in humid climates. These water vapors corrode the collector absorber.
h) the absorber and the copper tubes of the solar collector are welded with the Ultrasonic method (ie with high frequency), in order to achieve absolute heat transfer and the solar collector has the highest possible efficiency.
i) the selective surface of the solar collector should be titanium coated (selective collectors) and the glass should be special crystals (to minimize the reflections of direct radiation) and unbreakable (SOLAR TEMPERED GLASS 4 mm ) for hail resistance.

3. What should I choose? closed circuit or open circuit?
A solar water heater must be closed circuit (antifreeze operation) because it withstands low temperatures in winter and thus protects solar panels.

< b> 4. What helps the antifreeze contained in the appliance?
During the winter, when the temperature can drop below 0 ° C, the antifreeze does not allow the heat carrier to freeze and so on. protects the collectors from pipe breakage.

5. How can I protect my solar water heater from breakage from frost?
If you have checked that the solar water heater in the heat carrier has a sufficient amount of antifreeze, then there is no fear for your solar water heater. water heater.

6. What is the lifespan of a solar water heater?
The lifespan of a good quality solar water heater is between 10 and 20 years, depending on water quality and proper maintenance. When there is a water softener in the water network it must be set within the limits 8 – 9 (and not at ‘0’). It must not be completely softened because when the water produced after treatment has a hardness of ” 0 ” or close to ” 0 ”, the water becomes electrolytically aggressive.

7. Why is it necessary to maintain a solar water heater?
Like all appliances and machines, solar water heaters must be maintained to ensure good operation and efficiency. By doing service at regular intervals, as defined by the manufacturer, we properly maintain our solar water heater, so that it can withstand time and offer us hot water for more years.

8. What certifications must a solar system have in order to be considered reliable?

A solar system must have at least a declaration of compliance with ELOT (CE) and a test report of a degree of performance from an Internationally Recognized Institute. The more quality certifications a solar water heater system has, the more confident we are in its quality, performance and lifespan.

9. What does the CE mark that every solar water heater must have mean?
The ‘CE’ mark is an abbreviation of the French phrase ‘Conformité Européenne’ which means European Compliance. When a product bears the ‘CE’ mark it indicates that the product complies with the requirements of European regulations and can be freely distributed among the Member States of the European Union.

10. I do not have hot water with electricity, what happens?
In this case you should call an electrician to check your power cord from the water heater to the panel. If no damage is found, it should call the workshop that installed you for further inspection.

11. Why the solar water heater is low efficiency and does not work normally?
In this case the reasons may be the following:
a) low level of the heat carrier (antifreeze) in the closed circuit of the device.
b) insufficient time of contact of solar rays with the solar water heater
c) insufficient sunshine (usually during the winter months)
d) poor quality solar panels.

12. Is there a case of corrosion inside the water tank?
Yes, there is. A good quality solar water tank must have dual internal glass protection.

13. How long do I have to turn on the electricity to heat the water in the tank?
More than an hour and depending on the size of the tank in liters.

14 . What is the efficiency of the solar water heater on cloudy days?
Solar water heaters with selective collectors, even with 50% cloudy, give us hot water at a temperature of 30 – 40 ° C.

< p> 15. In case of change of residence can I move my solar water heater or do I need to buy a new one?
Uninstalling and moving a solar water heater system is very simple in case of change of residence. However, this work must be done by a specialist or an authorized workshop.

16. What does dual energy solar water heaters mean?
The term “dual energy solar water heaters” means that it operates on sun and electricity.

17. What does triple energy solar water heaters mean?
The term “triple energy solar water heater” means that in addition to its operation with sun and electricity, it can also work in conjunction with the radiator.

18. Can a dual energy solar water heater be converted into a triple energy solar water heater? energy (ie in cooperation with the radiator).

19. By what criteria will I choose the size of the water tank that the solar water heater should have?
The size of the water tank (capacity in liters) clearly depends on how many people are going to use the hot water. For a family of four, the appropriate size is 160-200 liters.

20. What is a closed circuit solar water heater and what is an open circuit water heater? drinking water, without mixing them).
Open Circuit Water Heater: In this type of water heaters, we have direct heating of the drinking water (the heating medium is the drinking water itself). Open circuit solar water heaters are cheaper and simpler, but because we can not add antifreeze, they have problems at low temperatures (frosts) and the pipes can break due to expansion.

21 . What does a simple black paint collector mean and what is a selective titanium collector?
Selective solar water heater collectors, compared to simple black paint solar panels, are 15% – 30% more efficient. Selective titanium coated collectors are the new generation of solar panels and offer us absorption of direct and indirect radiation, minimization of heat losses, better efficiency and greater economy.

22. What does Solar Natural Circulation System mean and what is Solar System of Accelerated Circulation?
In a system with natural circulation, the storage tank (boiler) is necessarily higher than the solar collector, so that the water heated in the solar collector (due to lower specific weight) to go up to the tank, while the colder (and heavier) water of the tank goes down again for heating in the solar collector.
In a system of forced circulation there is no such restriction and the tank can to be placed in any position. The circulation of hot water is ensured by a pump, which is activated automatically only when the temperature of the water in the collector is higher than the temperature of the water at the bottom of the tank (boiler). This requires a differential thermostat and a non-return valve (to protect against flow reversal during the night).

23. In solar installations where the units have serial connection , it is absolutely necessary to istall a circulator (for recirculation) in the last solar unit in order to avoid the overheating of the last solar unit (s).

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