Rinnai Prestige Operation & Installation Manual page 12

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HIGH ELECTRICITY OR GAS BILL
Hot water usage patterns
High electricity cost
Temperature and pressure
relief valve / expansion
control valve discharging
water continuously
Lack of solar gain
CONDENSATION IN COLLECTORS
Condensation in solar
collectors
NOISY SOLAR COLLECTORS
Noise from solar collectors
WATER HAMMER
Hot and cold water
plumbing in the premises
Rinnai
Electric Boosted Systems:
If using an off peak (overnight) boosted electrical system, the time of use of the water
may affect whether heating is done by electric element or solar energy� This is because
both solar heated water and electrically heated water are stored in the same cylinder�
As the element is in the middle of the tank, half the tank can be heated each night by
the booster element�
If the bulk of hot water is used in the morning, there will be cold water in the cylinder for
the sun to heat during the day leading to lower electricity usage�
If the bulk of the hot water is used in the evening, the electric element will reheat the
water overnight� In the morning there will only be half a cylinder of cold water for the
sun to heat�
Consider changing your usage pattern to optimise solar energy usage�
Electric Boosted Systems:
The electricity tariff will determine the running costs of the system� Contact the
electricity supplier to confirm what these tariffs are.
See entry under 'Insufficient or No Hot Water'
• Reduced sunlight due to overcast weather in summer or low solar contribution in
winter will result in an increased dependence on electricity or gas boosting� Higher
electricity or gas bills under these conditions, especially in winter, are normal�
• If the solar collectors are shaded by trees or other objects, or the glass is dirty, the
effectiveness of the collectors is greatly reduced� Arrange for trimming of the trees or
relocation of the solar collectors if the obstruction is permanent� Arrange for cleaning
of the collector glass
• Solar collectors incorrectly positioned will also severely affect the solar gain� Check
that positioning and alignment of solar collectors is in accordance with the section
'System Orientation and Inclination' on page 21�
There is a small amount of ventilation between atmosphere and the internals of the
solar collector to ensure efficient operation. Under certain weather conditions, water
vapour naturally present in the air may condense on the inside surface of the collector
glass� This does not affect the performance of the system� If you are concerned contact
Rinnai to discuss�
Occasionally on days of high solar gain, the water temperature in the collector may
become very high� The noise may be similar to a boiling kettle, or an expanding
contracting metallic sound� The collector is designed to withstand these conditions, and
no action is needed, unless it is extreme� Contact Rinnai to discuss if you have any
concerns�
Contact your installer or a plumber to discuss checking the clipping of hot and cold
water pipe work and install a pressure limiting valve or water hammer arrestor as
required
12 CC OIM Issue 9