Solar Hot Water Systems

Solar hot water has more moving parts than most systems — and more things that can quietly stop working without you noticing. Fault-finding, servicing, repairs and replacement.

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Why solar faults are easy to miss

A solar hot water system has a booster — electric or gas — that steps in when the sun hasn’t done enough. That’s exactly what it’s meant to do. The catch is that when the solar side stops working altogether, the booster quietly carries the whole load and you often still get hot water. The first sign is usually a power or gas bill that has crept up, not a cold shower.

So with solar, it’s worth having the system checked even when it seems fine. A system that’s “working” and a system that’s working as a solar system aren’t the same thing.

Split systems and close-coupled systems

Some solar systems are close-coupled, with the tank mounted up on the roof directly above the collectors and circulation happening naturally. Others are split systems, with collectors on the roof and the tank at ground level, moving water between the two with a pump and a controller.

Split systems have the extra parts — pump, controller, sensors — so they have the extra failure points. Close-coupled systems put a lot of weight on the roof and the faults tend to show up in the collectors, valves and the tank itself.

What we work on

Fault diagnosis, servicing, repairs where the system is worth repairing, and replacement where it isn’t. Solar is one of the four system types Advance Hotwater works with day to day, which is why we know how these systems behave when something quietly stops doing its job.

What we do

Solar hot water repairs, servicing and replacement

Solar fault diagnosis

Working out whether the solar side is actually contributing, or whether the booster has quietly been doing everything.

Controllers, pumps and sensors

The parts specific to split systems — the ones that fail without any obvious symptom at the tap.

Collector and valve issues

Leaks, valve failures and problems at the roof end, including on close-coupled systems.

Servicing and replacement

Preventative servicing on a system that’s still going, or replacement when the tank or collectors have reached the end.

Common faults

What usually goes wrong

These are the symptoms we hear about most often. A good starting point for the call.

Booster running constantly
Power or gas bills higher than they used to be
No hot water on sunny days
Water leaking on the roof or down a wall
Solar controller showing a fault or showing nothing
Pump silent when it should be running
Hot water only after the booster kicks in
Old system with unknown service history

Please don’t troubleshoot it yourself. Hot water systems combine electricity, gas, stored pressure and water hot enough to scald. If something looks, smells or sounds wrong, turn it off if it’s safe to do so and call (07) 3801 2155.

A practical test

How to tell if your solar is actually working

Late on a hot, clear afternoon — after a good run of sun and before the evening’s hot water use — a healthy solar system should be giving you properly hot water without the booster doing much.

If you’re getting hot water on those days only because the booster is running, the solar side is worth investigating. Not a diagnosis, but a reasonable reason to pick up the phone.

The same goes for a bill that has climbed without your hot water habits changing.

Worth knowing before you call

Is the tank on the roof, or on the ground?
Is the booster electric or gas?
Roughly how old is the system?
Is there a controller anywhere, and is it showing anything?
Any staining, dripping or water marks near the collectors?

Please don’t climb onto the roof to check. Tell us what you can see from the ground, or text a photo to 0400 703 001.

FAQs

Common questions

Is my solar hot water system worth repairing?

It depends what has failed. A controller, sensor or pump on a system with a sound tank is normally worth repairing. Failed collectors or a corroded tank on an old system usually point the other way.

Do you replace solar systems with the same type?

Not necessarily. Some households are better off with another solar system; others suit a different type given where the tank sits and how they use hot water. We’ll lay out the options.

Can you service a solar system that still seems to be working?

Yes, and with solar it’s worth doing. Because the booster masks solar faults, a system can look fine at the tap while costing you more than it should.

Do you install solar hot water?

Yes — supply and installation of solar hot water systems, as well as repairs and servicing. Call us to talk through what suits your roof and your household.

Are there rebates available for solar hot water?

Rebates and incentives change over time and depend on your circumstances — check the current government programs directly. We can talk through the system side of it.

Related services

Solar not pulling its weight?

If the booster is doing all the work, it’s worth a look. Give us a call.

Call (07) 3801 2155 Request a Service

Prefer to text or call a mobile? 0400 703 001