Residential Solar Powered Water Heater Problem Repair And Reviews

Question: Are solar power water heaters obsolete? some repairman said we should just replace it with a normal one.well?

(Posted by: Kgee on 2009-03-04 23:00:56)

Our water boiler broke. It was a solar powered or heat powered one. It looked like there was some leaking in our garage. We called a repair man. He said that the pipe was leaking and so he replaced it. We still don't have hot water, so he said that we should replace ours with a regular boiler because he's been all around replacing solar powered water heaters all throughout the county. I honestly don't believe this guy. But is there some truth to what he said? Should I spend a thousand bucks for a new regular boiler because mine's obsolete? Or what

Posted by: meonyahooanswers on 2009-03-04, 23:15:21

Ok Repair men are salesmen as well. we need to make money. but some take it to far this guy may not know how to install solar hot water so he will try to sell you anything he knows how to install. so he goes home with some money. (tip 1) I have never repaired a leak and the hot water stopped working (tip 2) solar hot water is available (Tip 3) look on top of your hot water tank and one side says cold turn the valve on because he may have shut it off to make the repair to the pipe and never turned it back on. (Tip 4) check all valves you can find (turn them on and off see what they do) so you know in the event you get another leak. well you have the internet and I have your back

Posted by: roderick_young on 2009-03-05, 15:36:00

I don't believe him, either. Solar water heaters are on the rise, especially in places like Hawaii. The technology is mature, and well understood. My guess is that this is a dishonest repairperson. I had this happen to me before, after I had changed the thermocouple on my furnace. It was working fine. We called this guy to clean the furnace, only. He said it was flaky, and needed replacement (the whole furnace?) In actuality, I found that @#* &^Q#$ had disconnected a wire inside. That was the last time I did business with that company, ever. If I were you, I'd call someone else to get another opinion, even if it costs extra. Other points to consider are that all water heaters do wear out eventually, solar, gas, or electric. When the solar heater keeps springing leak after leak, then it's time to change it. And by the way, $1000 sounds like a lot for a conventional water heater, if it's just one of those 40-gallon stand-up units.

Posted by: c_kangaroo on 2009-03-07, 04:30:15

Your instinct NOT to believe him is correct in my opinion. I just finished installing a solar water heating system myself and it works like a charm. Seems like he just wants to sell you a new system. My opinion is that a solar system is the best way to go because of money you will save. My understanding is that about half of the average energy bill is for heating water. I found some info on solar hot water heaters on the first site in the resource area.. and another site there also that I checked out and bought the actual guide I used.