The solar water heater is one such technology that gives you the guarantee of running well for at least 20 years. But, on the other hand, like everything else your solar water heater for home also needs periodic maintenance. If you don’t maintain it properly, it can lead to the early demise of the solar water heater. There are several factors that can damage a solar water heater. You will need to know what these factors are if you are a regular user of the solar water heater.
Scaling
Places like West Bengal has a very high content of mineral which is also known as hard water. Over time these minerals can get deposited and cause a build-up in the solar heating systems. This scale build-up can reduce the efficiency of the system in many ways. In a solar water heater, scaling can occur in the heat exchanger, collectors, and the pipes through which water gets distributed. It can also cause the failure of a valve and pump. If your solar water heater uses antifreeze, scaling will occur on the surface of the heat exchanger.
But there are ways to prevent scaling too. You can do it with the help of water softeners. You can also use a mild acid solution like the vinegar and circulate it through the collectors or the water loop. Do this every 3-5 years or maybe earlier if your water quality is not good. Clean the heat exchangers with the help grainy sandpaper. You can also use an external heat exchanger as an alternative to the original one.
Corrosion
If your solar water heater is of top-quality then there should be very minimal corrosion. In most corrosion is caused by two dissimilar metals coming into contact with each. This is called galvanic corrosion. The heat transfer fluid present in the solar water heater is the main reason of this corrosion.
Also, oxygen entering in the solar water heating systems can cause rust in any iron or steel parts. So, make sure that your water heating system has copper, bronze, brass, plastic, stainless steels or rubber parts. This will keep the corrosion of system at bay.
So, keep these two factors in your mind while using your solar water heater for home. if you have any doubts that it is not working properly or the quality of the water supplied in your area is not of good quality, it is best to take necessary steps to make it last longer.
Author Bio: Hi, I am Anita. I work as an engineer in Manufacturing Industry. During my free time I write business-related blogs.