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Posted by JIMMIE on July 30, 2009, 1:09 pm
From the info I have gathered the life expectancy of a solar water
heate is comparable to a run of the mill non solar water heater. I
would think they should last just about forever. What goes out on
them?
Jimmie
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Posted by David Nebenzahl on July 30, 2009, 1:47 pm
On 7/30/2009 10:09 AM JIMMIE spake thus:
show/hide quoted text
> From the info I have gathered the life expectancy of a solar water
> heate is comparable to a run of the mill non solar water heater. I
> would think they should last just about forever. What goes out on
> them?
The only thing I can think of is the panels themselves, which could fail
if exposed to freezing temperatures with water in the tubes. However,
there are heat-exchanger systems which have another fluid besides water
(propylene glycol for one) circulating through the panels which are
pretty much immune to freezing.
One piece of advice I can give is to stay far, far away from so-called
"draindown" systems if you live in a freezing climate. These systems are
supposed to drain the water in case of cold weather, but through a small
hole. If the hole clogs, then your panels could go kablooey.
--
Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
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Posted by John Keiser on July 30, 2009, 2:09 pm
My panels have lasted 30 years [in Hawaii] but I've had to replace the
plexiglass covers and resolder a joint in the manifold.
A roof top is a harsh environment and poor quality materials will show
defects eventually.
My panels feed into a normal 80 gallon water heater for storage. The
heater is 20 years old.
Even though the thermostat is set extremely low and the elements are rarely
activated, I assume the tank will eventually rust and develop leaks.
show/hide quoted text
> On 7/30/2009 10:09 AM JIMMIE spake thus:
>> From the info I have gathered the life expectancy of a solar water
>> heate is comparable to a run of the mill non solar water heater. I
>> would think they should last just about forever. What goes out on
>> them?
> The only thing I can think of is the panels themselves, which could fail
> if exposed to freezing temperatures with water in the tubes. However,
> there are heat-exchanger systems which have another fluid besides water
> (propylene glycol for one) circulating through the panels which are pretty
> much immune to freezing.
> One piece of advice I can give is to stay far, far away from so-called
> "draindown" systems if you live in a freezing climate. These systems are
> supposed to drain the water in case of cold weather, but through a small
> hole. If the hole clogs, then your panels could go kablooey.
> --
> Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
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Posted by Philip5malin on July 30, 2009, 3:53 pm
wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> My panels have lasted 30 years [in Hawaii] but I've had to replace the
> plexiglass covers and resolder a joint in the manifold.
> A roof top is a harsh environment and poor quality materials will show
> defects eventually.
> My panels feed into a normal =A080 gallon water heater for storage. =A0Th=
> heater is 20 years old.
> Even though =A0the thermostat is set extremely low and the elements are r=
arely
show/hide quoted text
> activated, I assume the tank will eventually rust and develop leaks.
> > On 7/30/2009 10:09 AM JIMMIE spake thus:
> >> From the info I have gathered the life expectancy of a solar water
> >> heate is comparable to a run of the mill non solar water heater. I
> >> would think they should last just about forever. What goes out on
> >> them?
In my community in Davis, Calif, many residents had solar water
heaters built in when the homes were built 30 years ago. Many of them
disappeared now. I still have mine, but is shut off. First things
many people found is rust in piping, rust on pipe joints, calcium
deposit on heating systems etc, making leaks. It is not fun when it
starts leaking on pipe joints on roof. Second, is roof anchors, many
anchor positions starts to lift up as times goes by, sun heat
expansion, wind lifting anchors etc. Making leaks on roof when rains.
Then many homeowner fed up with it, when they replace the roof, the
roofer does not know how to handle the system, or not want to liable
with it, saying they are not plumber, and they will simply get rid of
the system.
**********************
show/hide quoted text
> > The only thing I can think of is the panels themselves, which could fai=
> > if exposed to freezing temperatures with water in the tubes. However,
> > there are heat-exchanger systems which have another fluid besides water
> > (propylene glycol for one) circulating through the panels which are pre=
tty
show/hide quoted text
> > much immune to freezing.
> > One piece of advice I can give is to stay far, far away from so-called
> > "draindown" systems if you live in a freezing climate. These systems ar=
> > supposed to drain the water in case of cold weather, but through a smal=
> > hole. If the hole clogs, then your panels could go kablooey.
> > --
> > Found--the gene that causes belief in genetic determinism
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Posted by gfretwell on July 30, 2009, 8:15 pm
On Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:53:21 -0700 (PDT), Philip5malin
show/hide quoted text
>In my community in Davis, Calif, many residents had solar water
>heaters built in when the homes were built 30 years ago. Many of them
>disappeared now. I still have mine, but is shut off. First things
>many people found is rust in piping, rust on pipe joints, calcium
>deposit on heating systems etc, making leaks. It is not fun when it
>starts leaking on pipe joints on roof. Second, is roof anchors, many
>anchor positions starts to lift up as times goes by, sun heat
>expansion, wind lifting anchors etc. Making leaks on roof when rains.
>Then many homeowner fed up with it, when they replace the roof, the
>roofer does not know how to handle the system, or not want to liable
>with it, saying they are not plumber, and they will simply get rid of
>the system.
The best place to get solar collectors is from a roofer.
I got my pool collectors from a homeowner who was tired of roof leaks,
on a tip from the roofer.
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> heate is comparable to a run of the mill non solar water heater. I
> would think they should last just about forever. What goes out on
> them?