Saving the planet …
Think of the circulating pump like your heart. It is very small and operates on very low power (14 watts). And it is inaudible.
The pump will only switch on intermittently when there is hot water to deliver to the cylinder. It does not operate at other times, including at night. You can forget it is there.
This partly depends on the size of the hot water cylinder/solar combination that you choose.
In any event, the Apricus solar system is designed to automatically shut down once the hot water cylinder gets up to 80 degrees. This is a safety feature to prevent scalding water coming out of your hot water taps. As soon as you draw hot water, the system will automatically restart.
(There is also a legal requirement that all hot water systems must be fitted with a temperature-limiting valve for safety purposes).
If your system is electrically or gas boosted then any shortfall in temperature will be ‘topped up’ by the booster, if you don’t like the thought of fluctuating hot water temperature.
Care must be taken in transit and during installation, because a severe impact (dropping) can shatter them. However, once installed they are as durable as your house windows are.
The evacuated glass tubes are constructed from a special, tough borosilicate glass and will withstand all normal day-to-day environmental hazards such as hailstones and animals.
In the event that a tube is broken it can simply be removed and replaced with a new one. The tubes are inexpensive and the system will carry on working (at slightly lower efficiency) if any tubes are removed.
Are spares available?
Yes, spares are always available at short notice, should you need them.
The system will be delivered in good working condition to your delivery site.
Thence forward, most components are guaranteed for 10 years*. This includes the tubes, manifold, heat tubes and the stainless steel (Everlast) hot water cylinders.
The lower cost (non-stainless steel cylinders) will also give you a long service life, but only of the sacrificial anode is replaced every 6 or 7 years. For this reason, these cylinders carry a lesser 5 year guarantee.
The pump and controller are of high quality and carry the manufacturers guarantee.
* Note that guarantees apply in relation to manufacturing faults — not if the system is maltreated or mishandled or accidentally broken.
Yes, you can significantly reduce installation costs by fixing the solar system toyour roof yourself, or a handyperson who can assist.
The system is very easy to fit, comes with a comprehensive installation manual (or download) and anyone with basic building skills can carry out a DIY installation, Follow the instructions carefully and you can’t go wrong.
You may require a registered plumber to connect the pipes or to qualify for solar rebates.
Warning: do not take risks. If you are not competent with heights then it would be unwise to self install.
You will need to organise your own plumbing installation.
Any competent plumber can install the Apricus system, so if you have a friendly plumber, talk it over with him/her.
Some plumbers have installed a number of these systems and are already familiar with them, and this experience can reduce installation costs.
From an environmental standpoint, there is not a lot in it.
Hydro electricity is renewable, so ought to be favoured. However, the reality at present is that every unit of electricity that is saved means less a unit less of thermal power imported from Victoria.
From an efficiency standpoint, gas boosting works more efficiently than electric boosting, because the gas booster should only fire up if there is inadequate solar hot water available whereas an electric booster tends to cut in when not needed.
You can choose to use bottled gas or mains gas (slightly different equipment needed for installation).
A gas-boosted system will be more costly to purchase and install and may require more maintenance.
(Note that when coupled to solar, a gas-boosted system requires a hot water cylinder to be installed.)
In most cases, yes. But the header tank or water pressure must be high enough to enable the system to function properly.
In some low-pressure installations an optional larger pump may be required.
One beauty of evacuated tube systems is that they will not freeze, thus eliminating this perennial problem with solar collectors.
The manifold is surrounded by moulded rockwool insulation and cannot freeze except in exceptionally cold conditions, well below freezing.
Very little maintenance is required for solar water heating systems.
You should occasionally check the light on the controller.
On rare occasions a glass tube may lose its vacuum and therefore its performance. The glass tubes can be inspected occasionally to make sure. A glass tube can be easily replaced by the owner.