Question by Jimbo: what causes a solar water heater panel on the roof of a home to spew water?
Best answer:
Answer by E C
pressure?
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Q&A: what causes a solar water heater panel on the roof of a home to spew water?
3 Responses to “Q&A: what causes a solar water heater panel on the roof of a home to spew water?”
Leave a Reply
January 23rd, 2012 @ 11:10 pm
hole
January 23rd, 2012 @ 11:37 pm
Some solar water heaters have a pressure relief valve in them, designed to keep the panels from bursting in a light freeze. It’s possible that this valve is worn out, if the water is spewing from just one spot.
Another possibility is that the plumbing has finally corroded, and there’s a leak. Is the heater 20 years old?
It could also be that a system that was never designed for freezing got frozen briefly, and fractured something.
Call a solar installation company to look at it right away. You’re wasting a lot of water.
January 23rd, 2012 @ 11:45 pm
If it is continuous, there is a leak.
If it is only when it is cold there is a freeze valve that releases water to keep the pipes from bursting when cold.
If it is only when the sun is shining brightly there is a pressure relief valve to keep from over-pressuring your water system if the solar panel gets above the boiling point.
My bet is it leaks.