Frequently Asked Questions

Gas Storage systems use a gas burner to continuously heat and maintain water temperature in the tank. Whereas Continuous flow systems or tankless gas water heaters use a burner which ignites only when the water is needed.

• water is sitting around the base or you can physically see Water leaking out of the hot water system
• The pilot light is not working or goes out often.
• You are running out of hot water often.
• No hot water is coming out of taps or water is cold.
  • you can hear a hissing sound coming from your unit
  • The water pressure is low and /or changes continuously.
• The system is making rumbling or banging sounds.
• The water temperature keeps changing.
• The water is rusty or has sediment in it.

A leaky water unit could be the result of a faulty valve, or even a leak from a nearby plumbing connection or even the tank itself. A valve and plumbing leaks can usually be repaired by a licenced plumber, but a leaky water heater tank cannot; the unit must be replaced as soon as possible if the tank does rupture.

Hot water systems can last anywhere from 5 years, for some air sourced heat pumps, to over 25 years for some tankless/instantaneous hot water systems. Traditional storage hot water units have a life span of around 8 to 10 years. Instantaneous gas hot water systems can last up and over to 20 years.

Tankless/instantaneous hot water units heat water without the need for a storage tank. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit.  A gas burner then automatically ignites and heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters deliver a constant supply of hot water.

We are generally able to get your hot water back on within 48 hours. A full solar installation normally takes between 6 – 8 hours on the day of installation, depending on the work required.

Yes. Even when the sun isn’t shinning bright the collectors will still be able to achieve some solar gain, even if it’s cloudy or raining. All Rapid Solar Hot  Waters products have electric or gas boosting  available for water heating when there is insufficient solar gain, this ensures you will never run out of hot water. Even on a dull winter day your Solar Hot water System will be working hard, saving you money.

Traditionally, many solar water heaters incorporated a combined tank and panel system on the roof. These days we are able to keep the tank at ground level and simply have the panels on the roof for maintenance and serviceability. A small circulating pump allows the water to be sent from the tank to the panels, heated, and returned to the tank throughout the day.

Research has proven that the most effective position for solar collectors is facing due North while up to 45 degrees North West or North East is acceptable with minimal effect on the performance of the system.

Generally, no. Most roofs can more than accommodate the weight of 1-3 solar panels.

As long as the roofing joists are 600mm apart,  however there are exceptions

The concept with a solar hot water system is to send and circulate cold water from your tank through panels on the roof where the water is heated in the pipes inside the panels.

Constant circulation from ground to roof via copper ‘flow and return pipes’ all day allows a gradual temperature rise so water can be heated throughout the day, whether you are using hot water or not.