Glossary of terms for Hot Water.

Anode (sacrificial anode)
An anode is installed into all enamel coated mild steel tanks, the anode has a corrosion point that is lower than steel. So in the case where the corrosiveness of the water is ‘attacking’ your tank, the anode will ‘sacrifice’ first, this ensures that your tank does not get ‘attacked’

Electric or gas boosted
All Solar hot water systems require a back up heat source which can be called ‘electric boosted or gas boosted’. Essentially if the sun doesn’t heat your water on any day to 65 degrees the back up heat source will kick in to ensure that you have a hot shower.

Fizzing
In hard water areas such as most of South Australia an unwanted reaction called ‘fizzing’ can occur when standard anodes are installed into mild steel tanks. You will most likely notice this effect if you go on holiday, on your return when you turn on a hot tap you will notice the hot water ‘chugging’ out & you may also notice an acidic smell. This is a function of the anode ‘over-working’ to maintain the tanks integrity. We install hard water anodes as standard in all of our ‘split’ hot water systems, meaning that you won’t have this problem.

Hot Logic
Hot Logic is the patented form of solar controller. The controller handles functions such as heat capture, frost protection & system diagnosis. The Hot Logic controller is fitted to the side of your ground mounted storage tank.

Mechanical frost valve
A frost valve is a device that operates in a mechanical fashion. Essentially when water reaches 2 degrees the frost valve will ‘open’ allowing approximately 3L of water from the panels to be released.

Nickel plated element
A nickel plated element is standard on all of our split system electric boosted solar units. This element is suitable for hard water areas, in that versus copper elements it is less likely that the calcium & lime in SA’s water will form a solid ‘insulating’ coat around the element. When calcium & lime attach to a copper element, it can mean increased boosting costs as the heat from the electricity is not directly heating the water. IE the electricity needs to heat the copper, then the calcium build up then the water.

Off peak & Peak Electricity
In South Australia we have 2 energy tariffs off peak & peak. Off Peak electricity is usually switched on between midnight & 6am and is charged at a rate of $.092 per/kw. Peak electricity is available all day and is generally charged at a rate of $0.195 or $0.22 per/kw depending on the time of year.On Roof
An on roof solar hot water system is a system type where both the tank & the panels are located on the roof.

Plonk on installation

A plonk on installation is a term used for the installation of a hot water system, where a provision for solar has been completed by your builder. Essentially when we 'plonk on' we are simply providing the installation of panels & tank, we then connect to your builders provisions.

 

Positive dome & negative dome tanks.
A positive dome tank is similar to an LPG gas bottle where both ends of the tank are ‘bubbled’. By using a positive domed tank the tank is stronger & sediment does not settle in weld zones. A negative dome tank is similar to a coke can where the bottom of the tank is inverted. This style of tank allows for sediment to settle in welds meaning that corrosion may happen quicker due to the fulcrum effect that can crack enamel during the heating cycle.

PPM
PPM – parts per million. This is a measure of how many parts per million particles are in water, air or any other liquid, gas etc.

Provision for solar

If you are building a new home, your builder will usually provide a provision for solar this includes

1. Flow & return pipes into roof space

2. Insulation to flow and return pipes

3. Relief drain

4. External power point

5. 15amp power cable for boost power

6. Sensor cable for sensing panel temperature

Split System
A split system is a type of solar hot water system where the tank is on the ground & panels are on the roof.

TDS
TDS = Total dissolved solids this is a measure of how many dissolved solids are in the water. Dissolved solids are things like calcium, lime, dirt etc.

Weld Zones
Weld zones is a term for where the welds are in the tank. Ie a positive domed tanks weld zones are above where the sediment will fall. In a negative dome tank sediment falls in the bottom of the tank into the weld zones.