Plumbing help (solar water heater)

felicity · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Karma :

So, this house has a solar water heater. There are two panels on the roof, a tank, and a pump to move the water between them.

Over the last few weeks, we've not had any hot water (it's been warm at best). I had a look at the pump, and it's configured to pump water when the temperature difference between the tank and panel is more than 4C. At the moment the panels are at 27C and the tank is at 25C, so it's not pumping anything.

I've set it to pump continuously to see if that makes a difference, but if the "hot" water is only 27C, that's not going to be much better.

Is there something wrong with it, or is there just not enough sun at the moment to heat the water? (It's been pretty cloudy here recently.)

The only other option is a coal-burning boiler (!) so I'm hoping we can use the solar heater for a bit longer.

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Who the hell thinks a solar water heater is usable in the UK Laughing

I would put it down to the severe lack of sunlight giving any juice to your solar panels.

felicity · Scooby Slapper Joined: 13 Jul 2011 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Like a ground source heat pump, it's really only intended to pre-heat cold water, before you bring it properly up to temperature using another source.

Have you checked to see if there's an immersion heater in the hot water tank?
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Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

Suntan Sid · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2009 Karma :

I have this system in my house, (obviously more sunshine Cool

), there is no pump in my system, the water circulates via convection.
Anyway even on the cloudiest winters day I still get hot water, enough for a shower plus dish washing etc.
How long has the system been in place?
If you're in a hard water area there is a distinct possibility that the pipes in the panels are getting clogged with limescale, it's quite a common occurrence here!
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