SolPak™featuring

Active Heating System

Marathon® Tanks

High efficiency.Low energycosts.Durability andstrength.Introducing the FIRSTRheem SolPak closed loop,active water heating systemTo feature LIFETIMEMarathon tanks.

Solar Hot Water Installation

Interested? For more information call 1800 584 497email scott@plumbfirst.com.au

QUALITY • VALUE • TRAINING • SUPPORTfrom a brand you trust!

POTABLE WATER SUPPLY

HEATEDPOTABLEWATER

BACKUPUNIT(OPTIONAL)

13

2

4

SYSTEM INFORMATION COLLECTOR INFORMATION WATER HEATER INFORMATIONSTORAGE SYSTEM SOLAR NUMBER OF AREA DRY FLUID DESIGN MAX MAX. APPROX.CAPACITY MODEL ENERGY COLLECTOR ABSORBER W IDTH LENGT                                                                                                                   H DEPTH SQ. FT. W EIGHT CAPACITY FLOW RATE FLOW RATE OPERATING HEIGHT DIAMETER W EIGHT ELEMENT(US GAL) NUMBER FACTOR PANELS COATING (INCHES) (INCHES) (INCHES) (GROSS) (LBS) (US GAL) (GPM) (GPM) PRESSURE (INCHES) (INCHES) (LBS) W ATTAGE

85 RHSME85-48P * 2 Black Paint 36-1/8 98-1/4 3-1/4 24.61 80 .78 0.62 12 150 66-1/4 28-1/4 134 4500 W

105 RHSME105-64P * 2 Black Paint 48-1/8 98-1/4 3-1/4 32.79 106 1.0 0.83 12 150 66-3/4 30-1/4 152 4500 W

* Rating by the Solar Rating &ACertif ication Corporation (SRCC) pending.

Storage Tank

Collectors

Solar Control System

Thermal Expansion Tank

1

2

3

4

The System• Closed loop glycol system• Double collector systems• Included: Marathon tank, collectors, pump controller,

mixing valve, glycol solution (3 gallons), thermalexpansion tank (for glycol loop) and more

• Sold separately: 18 AGW sensor wire, tiltmounting kits (consult factory for mountingoptions)

The Pump Controller• Combines a variable speed

solar temperature control,collector circulator, storagetank circulator and heatexchanger in a single unit

• Digital display with Energymonitoring

• Flexible, programmableinputs/outputs

Mixing Valve• Mixes the cold and hot water

for selected temperature controlat the faucet

Glycol Solution (3 Gal.)• Non-toxic propylene glycol

provides freeze protection

Thermal Expansion Tank(for glycol loop)• Eliminates problems associated

with thermal expansion inclosed loop systems

Mounting Hardware• Standard roof pitch• Tilt mount kits (sold separately)

PotableWaterSupply

HeatedPotableWater

BackupHeater(Notincluded)

SOLPAK™ ACTIVE WATER HEATING

The Tank

• Strong, polybutene material built to last aslong as the solar system

• Unique, corrosion resistant design willnever rust

• Lightweight and easy to install• Electrical element backup

heating source

The Collectors• Two sizes: 3Bx8Band

4Bx8B• Flat plate design• Black paint absorber

coating• OG-100 certified by

SRCC

The Warranty> Lifetime Limited Tank Warranty*> 10-Year Limited CollectorWarranty**> 5-Year Limited Tank PartsWarranty*> 2-Year Pump ControllerWarranty**

Solaraide™

Storage Tank andElectric StorageWater Heaters forSolar Applications

Solaraide™ HESolar Heat Exchanger,Solar Tank, or ElectricStorage Water Heater

Solar IndirectSolar Storage Tank withSingle Wall Internal HeatExchanger andBack-up HeatingElement

Marathon® IndirectThermal Storage Tankwith Single WallInternalHeat Exchanger andBack-up HeatingElement – Coming

Ask about using tankless with our Solar Solutions!

Interested?For an obligation free installation quote call today

Solar Water Heating Systems from Plumbfirst andRheem

CALL…………………1800 123 123EMAIL……………....scott@plumbfirst.com.auVISIT .………………..plumbfirst.com.au

Check out our other solar products from Rheem Storage

Solar hot water systems buying guide

The Victorian state governments is still currently offering solar hot water rebates. This state government financialincentive  is generous, but there are some conditions attached - so be wary of ads implying solar hot water can benearly free.

Heat pump and solar hot water systems are great for the environment and will reduce your energy bills, but theyusually take several years to pay for themselves.

Solar hot water is now big business. There are dozens of manufacturers and hundreds of retail suppliers, all keen toget your custom. You can choose from several types of system, each with its pros and its cons. And each supplierthinks their system is the right one for you. So how do you decide?

We asked manufacturers for their recommendations for a typical Sydney house, and also sent a Sydney homeowner shadow shopping for a new solar hot water system to see what types of system are around and what dealsare offered. The quotes varied considerably in price (from about $4000 to nearly $10,000).

It pays to do some homework first, so you can understand and compare quotes. You should:

   Understand what types of solar hot water systems are available.

   Know what financial incentives are applicable.

   Have an idea of what restrictions might apply to your home, such as the amount of sun your roof gets.

   Know what questions to ask the supplier when they come to give the quote.

Solar hot water systems

SOLAR HEATER

The water is heated in solar collector panels on your roof and stored in a tank. Solarsystems come in two main types:

Thermosiphon systems have both the collector panels and the storage tank mountedon the roof. The liquid in the panels circulates into the tank via the thermosiphoneffect (as water heats up, it becomes lighter and rises into the tank). In warmclimates, the panels can heat water directly. However, in frost-prone areas, the watercan freeze and damage the panels, so frost-tolerant panels which use a heat-exchange fluid with a freezing point lower than water are used. The panels heat thefluid, which then heats the water in the tank.

Boosters are needed in solar hot-water systems to keep up the hot water supplywhen there’s not enough sunlight to do the job. Boosters can be either electric- orgas-powered, and are usually incorporated in the water tank.

HEAT PUMP

Heat pumps don’t use solar energy directly, but because they are very energy efficientthey’re classed with solar systems for rebates and other government incentives.Installation is generally similar to installing an electric hot- water system. Heat pumps drawenergy from the surrounding air and convert it to heat in much the same way as an airconditioner or refrigerator.

>  Air is drawn into the unit through an evaporator, where a cold refrigerant absorbs the    air’s heat.

>  The refrigerant then flows into a compressor, where it’s converted to a high-pressure,     high-temperature gas.

>  The gas passes through a condenser in the water tank, heating up the water. The     refrigerant gas cools down and is cycled back to the evaporator.

>  Heat pumps tend to work best in warmer climates, such as coastal regions, but there    are models (such as the Dux Airoheat Subzero) designed to operate in cold climates.

Government Incentives and Rebates

Your first step is to understand what systems are available. See Solar heater and heat pumps explained for anexplanation of the different types. Then check out whether you qualify for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) - orthe federal government solar rebate. The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator provides a register of productsthat are eligible for RECs. This handy calculator will calculate for you how many RECs the product you're consideringqualifies for.

Various state governments also offer rebates. Queensland, for example, offers rebates of up to $1000. New SouthWales, Western Australia, Hobart, South Australia and Victoria all offer rebates, so make sure you check thesewebsites for details if applicable.

Installation

Next, think about the installation. If you opt for solar panels, you’ll need a section of roof with good access tosunlight, preferably facing north for maximum exposure. There are considerations if you opt for a thermosiphonsystem; the roof must bear the load of the water tank, which can weigh several hundred kilograms and mightrequire reinforcing the roof. And if the roof is difficult to access, the supplier might charge more for installation.

Check with your local council about building regulations. Councils are unlikely to object to you installing solarpanels, but there may be restrictions. If you live in a strata building, there will almost certainly be limitations on whatsystem you can install.

Solar hot water systems buying guide

CHOICE's 2008 shadow shop confirmed prices vary a lot between suppliers and models, so it’s worth getting afew quotes before deciding on a system. These two quotes from different retail suppliers for two models of heatpump show why.

Suppliers usually need about 30 minutes to assess your home. Retail suppliers are often connected with just one ortwo brands, but most brands have a wide range of products, so suppliers should be able to quote on a range ofdifferent types and models.

They should also be familiar with RECs and rebates and how they apply to you, but you need to read up on themtoo. Our Sydney shadow shopper has a gas hot-water system, which means he doesn’t qualify for the federalrebate (it only applies when you replace an electric system), but one supplier’s representative offered to sign adeclaration that the old system was electric so he could get the rebate! We don’t recommend you try to get awaywith a trick like that.

Questions the supplier should ask you

Your hot water needs — how many people live in the house? How much showering and hot clothes washing do youdo each day, and what time of day do you do it? (Typically, one person uses about 50 L of hot water per day.)

   What sort of hot-water system do you currently have?

   Is gas connected to the property?

Questions you should ask the supplier

   Is installation included in the quote?

   How long will it take from placing an order to complete installation?

   Is RECs buyback included, and if so, at what price for the RECs?

   Will they help you apply for government rebates?

Can you keep your existing hot-water heater as part of the new system? It might be possible to incorporate it as abooster for the solar hot-water system. However, you wouldn’t be eligible for RECs, because they only apply tocompletely new installations.