Plumber – Be Aware (Warning) - Rheem Water Heater User Manual

INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
•
The solar hot and solar cold pipes between the solar storage tank and
the solar collectors MUST BE of copper and fully insulated with closed
cell polymer insulation or similar (minimum thickness 13 mm). Thicker
insulation may be required to comply with the requirements of
AS/NZS 3500.4. The insulation must be weatherproof and UV resistant if
exposed. All compression fittings must use brass or copper olives.
Note: Failure to observe this requirement may void the warranty for
freeze damage.
The insulation is essential to assist in providing freeze protection, will
offer corrosion protection to a metal roof against water runoff over the
copper pipe, assist in avoiding accidental contact with the solar pipe work
and also reduce pipe heat losses.
•
The insulation must be fitted up to the connections on both the solar
collectors and the solar storage tank, as very high temperature water
can flow from the solar collectors to the solar storage tank under certain
conditions.
•
Plastic pipe MUST NOT be used, as it will not withstand the temperature
and pressure of the water generated by the solar collectors under
stagnation conditions. The solar collectors can generate extremely high
water temperatures up to 150°C and high water pressure of 1000 kPa.
Plastic pipe cannot withstand these temperatures and pressures and
MUST NOT be used. Failure of plastic pipe can lead to the release of
high temperature water and cause severe water damage and flooding.
•
There must be a continuous fall in the pipe work between the solar
collectors and solar storage tank. The highest point of the solar cold pipe
and solar hot pipe must be where they connect to the solar collectors, to
avoid the possibility of air locks occurring in the system.
WARNING: Plumber – Be Aware
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