Help with solar hot water heater.

May 4, 2011 3:51 PM

Help me find info and/or company for my old Solar Hot Water heating system.

We bought our house about a year ago and this system has always peaked my interest. I have done some casual searching here and there but never anything definitive. Essentially I would like to find someone who knows about this system (Or one in general) that can help me figure out if it is working, how well, and if it needs repair how to repair it. Here is what I have found:

Made by:
Entech Marketing Inc
Box 549
Tualatin, OR 97062

Model: SF 240-001 (2 Units) (Mine says SunFlame on the tag)

Type: Integral Collector-Storage

I found an article on Popular Science (See Page 162). Doing an Oregon Business Registry search does not bring up anything pre-1990. Google also does not seem to bring up anything on this info. My system is for sure an Integral Collector-Storage unit as seen in this illustration. Actually the plumbing is almost exactly like that.

So how do I go about finding info about this? We have a leak near the unit but I do not think it is the heater. Two roofing companies that have came out say they have no idea what it is or how to fix it, and they dont want to. That isn't helpful! Any help hive mind?

posted by NotSoSimple to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

piqued

I think what you want is not a roofing company but someone who installs/services solar hot water systems. They will be able to test whether it's working or not, and suggest repairs or improvements. The technology of solar water heating systems has essentially remained the same since that unit was installed.

Somewhere in the loop that connects the solar panels with your water heating system, there should be a pressure gauge, and there's a pump that moves the fluid around. If the unit is not leaking, the pressure should be non-zero — I can't recall what my old one from that era used to be. But if it's flatlined, you're not getting much out of it. The other thing you can do is turn off the electric or gas on your water heater, and see if you continue to get hot water.

One way or the other, chances are your system needs some service and a qualified solar systems installer can provide that. Some options here.
posted by beagle at 4:15 PM on May 4, 2011

Response by poster: Just updating in case someone needs it. This unit is VERY simple. No pumps, no pressure gauges, nada. Based on my own research and talking to some solar guys (Incluidng the original inventor of the product) if it dosnt leak, it is working.

Essentially it pre-heats the water before hitting the hot water heater. City water is piped in, up to the panels and into the two stainless water tanks. From there it gets 'preheated' and drops down in to the hot water heaters 'cold' side. The idea is to bump up the temp of the water entering the hot water heater so it dosn't have to turn on to heat often or at all. In the summer I was told during the day it can provide well over 120* water before even touching the hot water heater. Also in the winter it is advised to drain the system since it is not glycol based and prone to freezing. There is a bypass and two drain valves in the plumbing to assist this.
posted by NotSoSimple at 9:20 AM on January 10, 2012