Pros

  • If properly installed then long-lasting and reliable

  • 3x more efficient than solar PV

  • No grid connection or agreements with utility

  • D-I-Y friendly

  • Simple, when solar panel location is close to tank location

Cons

  • Not many installers

  • If poorly installed (like many older systems) they may need a lot maintenance or not work at all

  • With the rise of heat pump water heaters, harder to justify in some cases

Components

  • Solar panels/racking

  • Piping

  • Tank (thermal storage)

  • Pumps, controls, valves

PROJECT EXAMPLES —>LINK

TROUBLESHOOTING OLDER SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS —>LINK

 Liquid Solar can help you troubleshoot your old or non-functioning system even if located for from Bozeman. We need the following information (pics of)  (these systems are often quite repairable with sufficient information).  Todd an example pics 1 through 5)

  1. Pic of System Pressure. Look for pressure gage that shows pressure of liquid loop between panels and tank. Must be greater than zero. example pic needed

  2. Pic of Tank and piping near tank hardware (called a pump station). example pic needed

  3. Solar control. This turns pump on/off.  If newer that 1990s the control will have a LED/LCD that shows temperatures of panel and tank. It also may show an error code. example pic needed

  4. Pic of Solar panels.

  5. Any obvious signs of leaks near tank, piping or solar panels?

 

The most common problems with a non-functioning system include are:

  • Flow-related.  Low system pressure and/or air in system preventing circulation.

  • Electrical.  A bad sensor, usually the collector sensor.

  • Bad air vent. Is there an air vent near solar panels? On old systems this inexpensive part can literally cause the entire system not to work (it bleeds off pressure then at some point fluid is “air-locked” and system is down). These must be plugged or removed.