Frequently Asked Questions

Water hardness is measured by the concentration of calcium and magnesium (calcium carbonate equivalent) in water. Bore water is often very hard.

Water hardness above 200mg/L is associated with excessive scaling (build up of calcium) of pipes, circulating pump, temperature and pressure relief valve and fittings.

Water quality has a great influence on the longevity of your solar hot water system. 

Hard water will often stain the surfaces of the wash basin, shower and toilet. Hard water is also hard to produce a lather with soap.

Because eventually calcium deposits will cause a hot water system to fail. Solar, electric and even gas hot water systems are all prone to a build up of calcium deposits which will cause corrosion in hot water tanks, blockages in copper pipes and important components to fail.

The Solar KSS design has minimised the risk of system failure caused by scale. Because you can protect you solar hot water system by either being selective in the water you use in the heat exchange tank and / or you can condition the water in the heat exchange tank to neutralise the potential build up of scale within the tank that can damage the booster element. Remember this design does not require a circulating pump or temperature and pressure relief valve - less to worry about, less to go wrong.

The main parts prone to failure on a solar hot water system are the circulating pump, the pressure/ temperature relief valve, electric booster element, air remittance valve, electronic sensor and frost valves if living in an area prone to frost. 

The Solar KSS design has none of these components, by design they are obsolete.

The simpler a solar hot water system is the more reliable and affordable it will be for you.

There can be many corrosion causing substances in your water supply apart from calcium. They are often referred to as dissolved solids. One aspect of water quality is the amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) that is in the water. TDS can be particles of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, carbonate, silica, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate and nitrite, phosphate and other organic matter that can be dissolved in the water supply.

No, the Solar KiSS design is an affordable and relaible solution anywhere.

Most manufacturers exclude warranty if TDS is high. It is important to check the terms and conditions in the warranty document before you buy. If you are on mains water in most normal crcumstances your local council water treatment will ensure water is suitable for use with a solar hot water system. In times of drought water quality can depreciate. Your local council will be able to tell you the TDS in your local water supply.

 If you are on bore water you may have to get your water tested to see if it meetsthe  manufacturers terms of warranty. If you help having your water tested contact us.

We have designed the Solar KiSS system so we can offer you warranty where other manufacturers wont.

Yes! The design is made to resist the effects of poor water quality.

Because the solar hot water system has been designed to withstand the worst conditions and poor water quality. The unique design has done away with problem components and we have used high quality materials.

No, an expensive solar hot water system does not mean more hot water. Generally solar hot water systems all make hot water at a similar rate. There is a maximum temperature that water can be stored at and it can't be any hotter than that.

Some factors that influence the rate at which solar hot water can be made are - the type of collectors being used, the pitchof the collectors to the sun, orienatation to the collectors to the sun e.g. in the southern hemisphere the optimal orienation is north facing, shading. There is much more information in the 'free eBook 'Consumers Guide to Hot Water'. You can download a copy now. 

What increases the cost of a solar hot water system are components like the circulating valve, air remittance valve, frost valve, temperature and pressure relief valve and the electronic sensor. Some installations require a solar hot water system of this design. The downside is that the more components on a solar hot water system the greater the risk of malfunction.

Things to consider when buying a solar hot water system are servicabilty, maintenance and warranty.

Yes, very expensive. Sometimes if water quality is very poor it can mean that these parts have to be replaced frequently. Not only are the parts expensive, many people cannot do the replacement themselves and require a plumber to carry out the repairs - also an added cost. Depending on where you are located it can be a long wait for a plumber to get the hot water back on for you. It is something to think about especially if you live in a remote area or stressful if your trying to run a business such as a caravan park and trying to keep your guests happy with hot showers.

Apart from the excessive build up of scale to components, dissolved solids may also cause the pressure/temperature relief (PTR) valves to fail beciase of a buildup of scale on the valve seat, early failure of the electric booster element, circulating pumps to stop circualting water, frost valves to leak and air remittance valves to fail..

Copper pipes in the old style flat plate glass collector panel can become blocked reducing the ability to make hot water and eventually becoming a cause to replace the collector/s. Many collectors cost $800 each and then there is the cost of the installation.

Evacuated tubes have a huge advantage over flat platte glass collecotrs in hard water areas because they do not attract scale.

Yes. Corrosion can occur when dissolved solids settle on welded joints in stainless steel tanks and corrosion to any mild still that becomes exposed after the glass lining of vitreous enamelled tanks begins to crack. Solids can deposit on the seam of welded joints causing corrosion of the joint. This will eventually cause the tank to leak and then it would require replacement.

Because once the stainless tank is filled with water that is used as a thermal mass (see diagram) to exchange heat with water passing through the copper coil there is no longer a continuous flow of new water coming into the storage tank which brings more TDS into the tank causing layers to build up of corrosive matter inside the water tank. This heat exchange system is the ideal design for water with high concentrations of dissolved solids.

Yes. The water inside the low pressure water tank is the thermal mass. If for any reason the water is not as hot as you think it should be the water level inside the tank may need topping up. This is very simple to do and is only a matter of turning a tap on briefly to restore the amount of water inside the tank that heats the copper coil which heats the water within as it makes it s way to the hot water outlet. (See diagram)

 

Maybe every few months. It will depend on how much hot water you use and the climate where you live.

If you live in a hard water area you can add a water softener to the water inside the water tank to minimise effects of TDS

As a conservative guide allow 5 litres of hot water per minute for a shower.