- Your solar system should never be turned off, if you are going away for an extended period, activate the “holiday mode function”- see the solar controller manual for details...
- Winter settings and summer settings - in winter time the period of sunshine decreases so minor adjustments may be needed for the electrical backup element (extend the running hours on the timer). Alternatively, the timer may be set to override – see the solar controller manual for details...
- When using the manual override for the element, depending on your controller type, you may need to turn this function off manually when finished – see the solar controller manual for details...
- Installation of a 5 micron sediment filter to the main water supply to your home is good practice to ensure the water quality to your appliances is maintained. This can extend the longevity of your solar system.
- In order to mitigate standing heat loss due to a cold ambient, installation of a geyser blanket is recommended by Green Power and required by Eskom. This also increases the efficiency of your solar system.
- To optimize efficiency, geysers should be located as close as possible to the points where hot water is being used.
- Insulated hot water pipes maintain their temperature at high levels and mitigate heat loss. Pay special attention to the insulation of the first 1.5 to 2 meters of hot water pipes nearest the geyser. Water pipes should be insulated with SABS approved flame retardant materials. Contact Green Power or your plumber for assistance in this regard.
Water heating tips
- It is likely that a home's single largest electricity expense is water heating. This typically accounts for about 30% to 50% of the electricity account.
- By taking a shower instead of a bath you can save water and electricity.
- Normally, you use less hot water for a shower than a bath. In a bath, 12 cm of hot water represents half the content of an average geyser.
- Get the family into the habit of plugging the water basin when washing or shaving.
- Do not have the thermostat too high. A setting of 50-60°C is recommended.
- Install aerating, low-flow faucets and water saving showerheads.
- Drain a quarter of the water from your geyser every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your system. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
Frost areas
In areas that are susceptible to freezing and or frost – our systems are backed up by a “frost protection” function which is built into the controller. The function uses the pump to circulate hot water from the geyser through the solar collector to prevent it from freezing. The function activates automatically when the temperature of the solar collector drops below the factory set freezing level. Our systems have been tested and approved by the SABS for resistance to damage as a result of freezing.
Hail?
You may be concerned that damage to the solar collector may occur due to hail. There is no cause for concern! The products we supply have a 2mm wall thickness glass tube which has been tested and approved by the SABS for resistance to hail and similar damage.
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