Installing and maintaining solar water heating
To get the most out of your solar water heating system, it's important that you choose a size that's right for you, that it's well-installed, and that the components work well together.
On this page:
Maintaining your solar water heating system
Product quality
To compare the performance of solar water heating systems, check out the EECA's list of systems eligible for a grant.
The energy performance (kWh saved per annum) is important when choosing a system. But there are other factors that are equally important:
- The quality of the system
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How long the components are likely to last - not all systems are created equal. Talk to the supplier about the warranties they offer.
Installation and consents
Regardless of which type of system you choose, the installation will need to comply with the requirements of the New Zealand Building Code.
You will also need a building consent from your local council.
It's the homeowner's legal responsibility to make sure all the required consents and permits are obtained. However, the installer should assist you with this.
Some councils in New Zealand offer reduced consent fees or other incentives to encourage solar water heating and other renewable technologies. Check with your council.
Maintaining your solar water heating system
Your system will require little maintenance but there are some things you can do to keep it running at its best. Manufacturer's instructions should be followed for any maintenance issues or requirements over the life of the system.
Some tips include:
- Solar hot water tanks should be maintained in a similar way to normal electric hot water tanks. Flush the hot and cold relief valves on the hot water tank every six months. Glass-lined water containers should have their anode changed every five years - more frequently in hard water areas
- If your collector panels are out of sight, occasionally check them for leaks in the collector case, glass or pipes. Condensation on the glass or wet insulation indicates a possible leak
- Talk to your supplier or installer if you see any discolouration or corrosion
- Wash collector panels if they get dirty
- Check collector panels for shading and debris - nearby trees may have grown unnoticed
- Although uncommon, broken glass or damaged glazing should be replaced immediately. This is because water coming in will rapidly deteriorate the absorber's surface and insulation
- Frost protection methods that use frost plugs (which are increasingly rare) sometimes need resetting in freezing conditions. If the system uses glycol or a water-glycol mixture, this will need replacing periodically. See the manufacturer's instructions for details.
Make sure your supplier or installer gives you clear, detailed operating instructions when they install your system.
Problems
Your solar water heating system should perform well if:
- It is the correct design for your location
- The appropriate size for your household has been used, and
- It has been properly installed.
If your system isn't working as well as you'd like, go back to your installer. After the manufacturer's warranty has expired you are still covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. This covers both manufacturing defects and lack of skill by the installer. The Fair Trading Act covers you if your system isn't performing as well as you were told it would.
More information
- Find out more about how solar water heating systems work
- Find out how you can get ENERGYWISE™ funding to install solar water heating
- Choose the right water heating system
- Solar electricity - generating electricity with solar photovoltaic panels
