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.