How does SUNZ Solar Hot Water Systems work?
Your Sunz solar hot water system is designed to give you many years of trouble free operation.
Solar Hot Water Systems - How it works?
The coldest water at the bottom of the hot water cylinder is pumped up to the solar panel where it is heated by the sun and returned to the cylinder, and by this means gradually heats up all the water in the cylinder.
It is standard practice to leave the backup heating source (electric element, gas, oil etc) switched on so there is still sufficient hot water when there is bad weather, or if there has been a larger than normal draw off of hot water.
Many people find it is possible to leave the element turned off over summer and turned on over winter, when the solar system may need a boost to help maintain temperature.
When should the solar pump turn on?
a) Retrofit, or new system using standard low pressure, glass lined or stainless steel hot water cylinder
With the standard solar hot water systmes configuration your system is fully automated, and the pump will turn on under the following conditions:
- When the water inside the solar collectors (panels) is sufficiently hotter than the water in the bottom of the hot water cylinder, the pump will turn on and transfer this hot water to the cylinder.
- As cold water returning from the bottom of the cylinder cools the panel down, the pump shuts off until the water is heated again. This process is continually repeated as the water in the cylinder gradually gets hotter.
- When the water in your hot water cylinder reaches the (adjustable) target temperature the pump automatically shuts down, protecting the hot water cylinder.
- If you are in an area that experiences mild frosts in winter, the pump will turn on if the water in the panel approaches freezing point. The pump will take a small amount of cold water from the bottom of the cylinder and transfer it to the panel to prevent the water in the panel freezing, thereby protecting the panel from bursting. Once the temperature of the panels rises above the critical danger point the pump will shut down, again minimising heat loss.
b) Retrofit, or new system using heat exchanger and anti freeze
With the standard configuration your system is fully automated and the pump will turn on under the following conditions:
- When the anti freeze mixture inside the solar collectors (panels) is sufficiently hotter than the water in the bottom of the hot water cylinder, the pump will turn on and transfer this heat to the cylinder by means of a heat exchanger.
As cold water returning from the bottom of the cylinder cools the panel down via the heat exchanger the pump shuts off until the panel gets hot again, and this process is continually repeated as the water in the cylinder gradually gets hotter. - When the water in your hot water cylinder reaches the (adjustable) target temperature the pump automatically shuts down protecting the hot water cylinder.
- Even if you are in an area that experiences severe frosts in winter, the system is protected from freezing, as the solar panels are filled with anti freeze (food grade). The anti freeze does not mix with the house water because it is sealed in a different circuit, and transfers its heat to the house water through a heat exchanger. Just like in a car radiator the panels are protected from freezing by the anti freeze.
c) SUNZ or Rotex drain down systems
With the standard solar hot water systems configuration your system is fully automated and the pump will turn on under the following conditions:
- When the water inside the solar collectors (panels) is sufficiently hotter than the water in the bottom of the hot water cylinder, the pump will turn on and transfer this hot water to the cylinder.
- As cold water returning from the bottom of the cylinder cools the panel down the pump shuts off until the water is heated again, and this process is continually repeated as the water in the cylinder gradually gets hotter.
- When the water in your hot water cylinder reaches the (adjustable) target temperature the pump automatically shuts down, and the water drains back down from the solar panels preventing any overheating problems.
- When the system stops producing heat the pump stops automatically, and the water drains back down from the solar panels preventing any freezing problems... no water, no freezing, even in severe frost areas.
Our Sunz Team are fully trained in all systems, and will advise on the most appropriate system for your needs.
SUNZ Energy Specialists at your service...
SUNZ Energy Specialists can design and install solar hot water systems to suit your lifestyle.
- call us on 0800 SUNZ NZ (0800 78 69 69) and get transferred to your nearest agent
- fax us on 09 263 9837
- send us an email at info@sunz.co.nz
- visit our Showroom located at 605 D, Great South Road, Manukau City, Auckland
