5 Tips to Maintain Your Solar Water Heater

As people are becoming more environmentally concerned, they are looking for sustainable solutions to adopt.  One such solution is the solar water heater. Although it has been around for a while, most people are just now coming round to the idea of using it because it is more environmentally friendly. So, what is a solar water heater, how expensive is it and how can you maintain it? In this article, we’ll take a look. Let’s begin.

What is a solar heater?

A solar water heater is a water heating product that makes use of solar energy emitted through sunlight to heat the water. Solar water heaters come with solar panels that help to transfer solar energy emitted from the sun to the water tank using a heat exchanger.

Here in Singapore, solar water heaters are mainly used by commercial businesses because the upfront cost is not as affordable. However, there are some residential properties in Singapore that also use solar energy to heat water. The reason why many people are switching to solar water heaters is because it helps to combat climate change by using natural energy sources to heat water. Moreover, the daily operational costs for a solar water heater to run is considerably lower than other types of water heater that are powered by other energy sources such as electricity or gas. The best part is that these solar water heaters can be quite durable if maintained properly.

How often should it be maintained?

If you or your business has a solar water heater installed, we recommend that you should get it checked at least once every year, just to be on the safe side.

Tips to maintain solar water heaters 

Once a solar water heater is installed, we tend to forget that it exists, mainly because it is installed on the rooftop, and you do not see it as often. Hence, it is understandable why most people tend to forget about their water heaters. However, at the end of the day, solar water heaters are electrical devices, and they need regular maintenance for it to continue functioning properly. Poor maintenance can lead to quicker deterioration and can ultimately lead to damage. This is why we strongly encourage you to regularly maintain your solar water heater. In fact, maintenance of these heaters is not difficult at all, and will actually benefit you in the long run. 

Here are five simple tips that you can follow in order to ensure that your solar water heater continue to operate fine:

1. Conduct Regular and Periodic Maintenance 

Ideally, solar-powered water heaters require maintenance every year. And, to ensure that your solar water heaters continue to function well for as long as possible, there are a few things that you need to ensure they are properly checked. Here are some of them:

• Check for leakages in pipes or tanks. Make sure there are no leakages, otherwise it may affect the performance of the solar water heater 
• Check for tears in the insulator. If there are any, then get them fixed as soon as possible
• If there are any loose wires, get them fixed to prevent them from hanging 
• Check to ensure that all nuts and bolts are in their place. If they are loose, tighten them 
• The storage tank should have no leaks or cracks on it
• The collectors should not be dusty at all

2. Clean the Exterior of Your Solar Water Heater

You do not need to always call upon a plumber or a technician to clean up your solar heater; You can do it yourself. In fact, you should make it a habit of cleaning your solar heater regularly. Sometimes, dust can settle in your heaters, especially so when most solar water heaters are installed on rooftops, which is an area that is prone to dust. For such cases, all you need to do is to use spray your solar water heater with water, give it a good scrub with soapy water, and wash it off afterwards.

3. Flush Out Water from the Tank Annually 

When it comes to the maintenance of a solar water heater, this is arguably the most important step. Flushing the system every year is important as it removes any dirt or dust that might have been accumulated over the year. A lot of dust and algae may get accumulated in the collector or tank, which can cause blockage and interfere with the daily operation of the solar heater.

4. Prevent Corrosion and Erosion 

Continuous flowing water can often cause corrosion in the water heater systems, leading to improper functioning of your heaters. The best way to prevent this is to clean the heater when not in use and keep it dry. This would avoid corrosion and erosion of the heater. Another method to overcome erosion is to paint the affected areas after cleaning them to prevent dysfunction of the heater. 

5. Prevent Scaling 

Over time, hard water can result in the accumulation of mineral deposits in the solar heating systems. In other words, hard water result in the scaling of minerals. This interferes with the functions of the heater, thus reduces the capabilities of the heater to work efficiently. If the water in your houses is hard, chances are that scaling can occur at a more frequent rate in the collector, pipes and heat exchanger. This can cause the failure of the pumps and valves to heat water. 

As descaling is a complex job, the best way to tackle this problem is to contact your plumber and get him or her to descale your solar water heater during your periodic maintenance.

Last Thoughts

Solar water heater is something you should consider investing in. Although it may be costly, it will end up paying for itself because of its durability, as well as overall lower operating costs. If you’re looking to install water heaters, you should reach out to Rheem. In the business for close to 100 years, Rheem is an expert in producing quality and durable water heaters. They offer a wide range of water heaters that is suitable for any kind of residential or commercial use. To find out more about Rheem’s range of quality solar water heaters, visit: https://www.rheemsingapore.com/products/solar-water-heaters/.