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HELP chained to my solar hot water system

newtosolar

help me to be free

i have what i think is called a closed loop system - 1 panel on the roof 2 dc pumps inside - one for circulating water through my standard hot water  tank - one to circulate the solar heating fluid - my wife and travel for 4 months in the winter for my health - 2 winters ago we left water in hot water tank and did not drain solar fluid - turned electricity off - attempted to drain water out of rest domestic system but didn't do it right  as our above ground water pump that brings water from our spring fed holding tank froze and cracked but the solar system was okay - so that didn't work ($1500 to fix what broke) - this year we drained the rest of the house correctly and left the solar hot water as in the previous year - the reults were house okay - solar dc pump sprung a leak and when opened 2 blades were broken  - that will cost $350 to replace - our solar co. says  only way around this is to also drain hot water take and drain solar fluid as well at a cost $200 - we are not that rich plus that eats up any $ savings so he suggested to leave a space heater which is dangerous (fire hazard), eats up any $ savings and is contridictory to  one of the main reason we went solar to save energy wasted usage

we feel like the solar hot water system needs a babysitter - there must be away that we can leave without damaging our system and losing $$ - HELP

‹ Solar Thermal Refrigeration; dc vs. propane ›

Submitted by newtosolar on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 13:57.

ctyankee
Re: HELP chained to my solar hot water system

I'd like to give you advice, but there is not even close to enough data here.

Who sold yo the system in the first place?  Did you receive an operation & owners manual with the system?  If not contact the installer and demand one.

Are you mixing "solar fluid" (??? antifreeze) and the potable hot water?  Two pumps... but I don't understand what you're describing.

Broken blades & leaking pumps tells me the system may have been poorly designed.

Sounds like your solar company is what I call a solar con-man... (ok maybe that's a bit strong -- sorry).  He might be a plumber that really doesn't understand the system, but knows where to but parts...

BTW, what state are you in?  What type of heat; oil/gas/electric? Boiler? Seperate HW heater? 


Fri, 03/07/2008 - 17:00