Service Center Solahart (081313462267) water heater | Page 6

33-1197 Solahart Owner‟s Manual – Thermosiphon Systems - Revision H – Nov 2013

4

OPERATING YOUR SOLAR WATER HEATER
Primary heating of your hot water will be from solar energy. The solar heating requires no operation by the user.
Supplementary water heating (“boosting”) is also provided. Dependent upon the system that you have purchased, this will
be either:
In-tank electric boosting
In-series gas boosting
Note: Australian Standard AS 3498 requires that a water heater provides the means to inhibit the growth of Legionella
bacteria in potable water.
With in-tank boosting, this water heater can satisfy this AS 3498 requirement provided the booster is either
permanently on or switched on by timer control for a sufficient period each day, and the electric booster thermostat
setting is 60°C or higher. Refer to the tables commencing on page 5 for recommended boosting periods.
If this water heater is installed with an in-series continuous flow gas booster, then this requirement of AS 3498 can be
satisfied provided the booster is permanently on, its preset outlet temperature setting is 70°C or higher and a remote
temperature controller is not used.
If this water heater is installed with an in-series storage booster, then this requirement of AS 3498 can be satisfied
provided the storage booster is permanently on and its thermostat setting is 60°C or higher.
IN-TANK BOOSTING

An isolating switch is installed in the electrical meter box for an electrically in-tank boosted model. This should be left
switched on to allow the booster heating unit to operate if required. The booster heating unit is for heating the water at
times of low solar energy gain, such as during very cloudy or rainy weather, or during the colder months.
The booster heating unit will only activate if heating is required and power is available from the switchboard. When the
water is below the thermostat setting, the booster heating unit will turn on and heat the water. The booster heating unit will
automatically turn off when the temperature of the water reaches the thermostat setting. If the water temperature drops
below the setting again the booster will re-activate.
The water heater features a tradesperson adjustable thermostat. This requires a licensed tradesperson to make any
temperature adjustments. The thermostat is factory set at 60°C and has a maximum temperature setting of 70°C.
Leaving the isolating switch switched on will also provide a sufficient period of time each day for the booster heating unit
to operate, if required, to satisfy the requirements of AS 3498.
The amount of water heated by the raised booster heating unit of a thermosiphon storage tank is:
150 model

180 model

220 model

300 model

440 model

75 litres

90 litres

110 litres

150 litres

200 litres

The overall performance and energy savings that you will obtain from your Solahart water heater will depend on your hot
water usage pattern and your operation of the in-tank booster. A time clock may be fitted to the system to turn the booster
on when required. This method can increase energy savings.
The following hints are provided to assist you in with your operation of your solar water heater:
1)
Solar energy input is greater on sunny days between 10am and 3pm. If possible, schedule your large hot water
demands (e.g. heavy washing or laundry) for as close as possible to the middle of the day.
2)
If a timer is installed, boost your tank‟s water after this 10am to 3pm hot period. The sun has made its maximum
contribution by this time, the booster will then raise the water to the desired temperature if the sun has not done so
(in winter for example).
3)
Keep trees in the sun's path at a level where the collectors are not shaded at any time during periods of effective
solar radiation.
Off Peak Electricity & Boosting
If your Solahart water heater‟s in-tank electric booster is connected to an „Off Peak‟ (night rate) electrical supply, it is
important to remember that the booster may only operate late at night. On cloudy days the tank may only gain a small
amount of energy during the day. Careful planning will be required to avoid running out of hot water if large quantities are
drawn during the day. In areas where a „Day Rate‟ electrical switch is permitted, the storage tank can be boosted to ensure
hot water is available at the end of the day.