Q: Can FLS Solar Hot Water systems work with a tankless water heater?
A: Yes. Our solar hot water systems act as a “pre-heater” for the tankless heater. For example, if the water in the solar storage tank is 110 degrees and your desired hot water temperature is 130 degrees, the tankless heater only needs to raise the water temperature 20 degrees. This can save an enormous amount of energy (and dollars).
Q: Do I need to replace my existing hot water heater?
A: No. Our solar hot water systems act as a “pre-heater” for your existing hot water heater. For example, if the water in the solar storage tank is 110 degrees and your desired hot water temperature is 130 degrees, your existing heater only needs to raise the water temperature 20 degrees. This can save an enormous amount of energy (and dollars).
Q: Can the fluid in the collector panel get too hot?
A. Yes. In PRESSURIZED SYSTEMS if the fluid is left in the collector, it can reach temperatures over 240 degrees. If it is kept at this temperature for long periods of time (several days or more) it can turn acidic, which may damage some system components. Examples of when this might occur are when you go on vacation in the summer and are not using hot water or when there is a power failure and the pump is not able to run. In our pressurized systems we provide a “vacation valve” to eliminate this problem. This is not a problem with drainback systems.
Q. What is a “vacation valve”?
A. A vacation valve is a ball valve that we install in our pressurized systems to prevent overheating of the glycol mixture in the collector panel during extended periods of stagnation, for example, when you’re on vacation or the pumps is unable to run due to power failure. When the vacation valve is opened, the temperature difference in the fluid starts a normal convection loop which circulates the water and prevents overheating.
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