Owner's manual

4
Thank You for purchasing this water heating system.
Properly installed and maintained, it should give you years
of trouble free service.
Abbreviations Found In This Instruction Manual:
• ANSI - American National Standards Institute
• ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
• NEC - National Electrical Code
• NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
• UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
• SRCC - Solar Rating and Certification Corp.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
This Solar Water Heating System consists of four main
parts — the solar collectors, the solar pump station, the
solar storage tank, and the plumbing for the heat transfer
uid.
The solar pump station uses a pump to circulate a heat-
transfer uid through the “collector loop”. This collector
loop includes the solar collectors, the uid lines or “line-
set” and a heat exchanger. The collector loop is a “closed
loop”, meaning there is no contact of the heat transfer uid
with your potable water or with the atmosphere. The collec-
tor loop contains only a small volume of heat-transfer uid
which is non-toxic and freeze-protected to -30°F (Freeze
tolerance limits are based upon an assumed set of environ-
mental conditions). Though freeze protection may not be
necessary in all areas, the heat-transfer uid also contains
corrosion inhibitors which protect the system components,
has an elevated boiling point, and is suitable throughout
North America.
When exposed to sunlight, the solar collectors get hot.
As the heat-transfer uid passes through the collectors,
it absorbs the heat and then travels down the line-set to
the tank. The hot uid passes through the heat exchanger
and heat is transferred to the potable water. After giving up
its heat to the potable water, the cool heat-transfer uid is
pumped back to the solar collectors to be heated again.
Hot potable water is stored in the solar storage tank.
The auxiliary or back-up electric-heating guarantees hot
water even under poor solar conditions (at night or when
very cloudy). The minimum acceptable temperature set-
point is specied in local plumbing codes.
You can save the most money on your water-heating bills
by using the backup heater on your system as little as pos-
sible. If the sun shines brightly between 10 am and 3 pm,
enough heat will normally be generated to keep the water
hot throughout the rest of the day and night.
However, on days when the sky is cloudy or when large
quantities of hot water are being used, we recommend
leaving the backup heater turned on and set to 120° F to
provide adequate hot water.
PREPARING FOR THE INSTALLATION
1. Read the “General Safety” section of this manual first and
then the entire manual carefully. If you don’t follow the
safety rules, the water heater will not operate properly. It
could cause DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, AND/
OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
This manual contains instructions for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of the solar water heater.
It also contains warnings throughout the manual that
you must read and understand. All warnings and all
instructions are essential to the proper operation of
the water heater and your safety. READ THE ENTIRE
MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL OR
OPERATE THE WATER HEATER.
2. The installation must conform with these instructions
and the local code authority having jurisdiction and the
requirements of the power company. In the absence of
local code requirements follow NFPA-70, the National
Electrical Code (current edition), which may be
ordered from: National Fire Protection Association, 1
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169.
3. If after reading this manual you have any questions or
do not understand any portion of the instructions, call the
local utility or the manufacturer whose name appears on
the rating plate.
4. Carefully plan your intended placement of the water heater
and collectors. INSTALLATION OR SERVICE OF THIS
WATER HEATER REQUIRES ABILITY EQUIVALENT
TO THAT OF A LICENSED TRADESMAN IN THE FIELD
INVOLVED. PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL WORK ARE
REQUIRED.
Examine the location to ensure the water heater complies
with the “Facts to Consider About the Location” section
in this manual.
5. For California installation this water heater must be
braced, anchored, or strapped to avoid falling or moving
during an earthquake. See instructions for correct
installation procedures. Instructions may be obtained
from California Office of the State Architect, 400 P Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814.
6. Massachusetts Code requires this water heater to be
installed in accordance with Massachusetts 248-CMR
2.00: State Plumbing Code and 248-CMR 5.00.
7. The solar energy system described by this manual, when
properly installed and maintained, meets the minimum
standards established by the SRCC. This certification
does not imply endorsement or warranty of this product
by SRCC.
INTRODUCTION