Rinnai Prestige Operation & Installation Manual page 12

SAVE A SERVICE CALL
HIGH ELECTRICITY OR GAS BILL
Hot water usage patterns
High electricity cost
Solar control unit switched
off
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
SOLAR PUMP CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING
Temperature sensor leads
not in place
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.
(This is not a problem with gas boosted systems, and is less of an issue with mid element
storage cylinders as the electric element only heat the top half of the tank, leaving half
the tank for solar energy).
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 be no cold water in the storage cylinder 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.
If the solar control unit is switched off there will be no solar pre-heating of water, resulting
in the water being heated entirely by electricity or gas boosting.
Check the power outlet for the solar control unit is switched on
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 25.
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.
The system will not operate correctly if the temperature sensor leads are not correctly
positioned (dry well on storage cylinder and on the solar collector outlet). Contact your
installer or Rinnai to discuss.
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 Split Solar OIM