Question:
Approximately 12 months ago we had installed a 300ltr Chromogen Solar water heater on the roof and whilst the hot weather was here ample hot water.We now find during the winter,even on sunny days,there is insufficient hot water at the end of the day for one person to shower even if we use only one third of the tanks capacity.
Is this normal and if so,can the temperature be boosted at anytime during the day.
We are particularly disappointed with the system.
Answer:
Solar units rely on the boost element during the winter months as there is not enough heat generated from the sun. A rough guide to determine the solar gain on a two panel solar system is double the day time ambient temperature. e.g. An 20 degree day time temperature will on average generate a full tank of 40 degree C the boost element will then heat the water overnight up to the temperature set on the thermostat approx 65-70 degrees C, due to the placement of the element on solar units you would only ever heat half a tank. For this reason the tank manufacturers always recommend installing a larger capacity tank. I believe the most cost effective method to repair would be to contact your electrician to see if they could provide you a day/ night switch or boost button. In times of heavy demand you could put the element onto a day rate. It is important however to remember to put the switch back to night rate to avoid paying the higher rates a boost button would revert back to the cheaper night rates once your thermostat is up to temperature.
- Ken
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& home maintenance here.. need answers?
& home maintenance here.. need answers?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
How much to replace a 130l gas outdoor heater?I currently have a Rheem that has lasted 10 yrs so would be looking at replacing that- Patrick -Lockleys
Hi Patrick,
There are a variety of options for replacement with Rheem being one of the better options. Please call our office and we can give an estimation over the phone or have one of our plumbers attend for a no obligation free quotation.
- Ken
There are a variety of options for replacement with Rheem being one of the better options. Please call our office and we can give an estimation over the phone or have one of our plumbers attend for a no obligation free quotation.
- Ken
Help, Our shower still is leaking. I replaced the washers, rings on boths taps and even grinded the seats and still drips.At wits end. Gary -Northgate
I feel your pain Gary. Majority of the time a reseat, o'ring and washer change will solve a leaking tap problem. After a reseat there should be no blemishes on the brass and it should look shiny and clean.
After a reseat you also need to make sure that there are no brass filings left in the tap body, any filings caught under the jumper valve "tap washer" will allow water to pass.The tap body always should be flushed with water before re-installing the spindle and jumper valve. An old plastic drink bottle with a pull up nozzle sprayed into the tap body will normally clear the debris left after a reseat.
Worse case scenario is a fine crack in the brass seat, this will allow water to pass and cannot be solved with a reseat or jumper valve replacement , a breecher replacement is the only method of repair if this is the issue.
If in doubt give us a call and we can have this fixed for you in about half an hour.
- Ken
After a reseat you also need to make sure that there are no brass filings left in the tap body, any filings caught under the jumper valve "tap washer" will allow water to pass.The tap body always should be flushed with water before re-installing the spindle and jumper valve. An old plastic drink bottle with a pull up nozzle sprayed into the tap body will normally clear the debris left after a reseat.
Worse case scenario is a fine crack in the brass seat, this will allow water to pass and cannot be solved with a reseat or jumper valve replacement , a breecher replacement is the only method of repair if this is the issue.
If in doubt give us a call and we can have this fixed for you in about half an hour.
- Ken
HELP!!! - Peter - West Lakes
Question - Morning ,
I am contacting your company in the hope you would be able to help me or be able to put me in contact with the suitable person within your company that would be able to forward their advice and a price to resolve a plumbing problem I have in my home.
Just after 3 years of moving into my property I have had to continually replace tap washers for the hot water tap in my shower due to a leaking tap. As you would understand this would become annoying (from the dripping noise) as it is adjoining my bedroom and frustrating (to have to change washers periodically). I have been in the property from new now nearly 5 years.
I finally succumbed and called a plumber in the rare chance they could fix the problem and I would stop wasting time, money and water. The plumber suggested reseating the breaching piece of the shower so the washer would sit flush on the housing. I agreed and advised to do the work. During the works the plumber summoned me to visually inspect a problem with the breaching piece. The plumber indicated a major problem in the housing. A slot/notch/groove in the seating of the housing, and according to the plumber the slot/notch/groove was caused by continual leaking of the tap ( which makes no sense to me) was the cause of the leak. I was given information, and estimates, so firstly I would like a second opinion from a professional company as yours did the leaking tap or water cause the notch in the housing, and secondly a price and solution to fix the problem. Hope to hear from you soon.
Answer -
The advice given to you by your plumber appears correct. A groove will occur if a tap is left dripping for a period of time. A groove is caused by water passing between a worn or split jumper valve (tap washer) and brass seat, overtime the water will cut a groove in the brass. A reseat of the tap seat on most occasions will remove this groove and stop that annoying leaking tap, however if left to long a groove will become to deep and require complete replacement of the breecher. This is not a problem for us to repair. For a price on this repair please call our office.
- Ken
I am contacting your company in the hope you would be able to help me or be able to put me in contact with the suitable person within your company that would be able to forward their advice and a price to resolve a plumbing problem I have in my home.
Just after 3 years of moving into my property I have had to continually replace tap washers for the hot water tap in my shower due to a leaking tap. As you would understand this would become annoying (from the dripping noise) as it is adjoining my bedroom and frustrating (to have to change washers periodically). I have been in the property from new now nearly 5 years.
I finally succumbed and called a plumber in the rare chance they could fix the problem and I would stop wasting time, money and water. The plumber suggested reseating the breaching piece of the shower so the washer would sit flush on the housing. I agreed and advised to do the work. During the works the plumber summoned me to visually inspect a problem with the breaching piece. The plumber indicated a major problem in the housing. A slot/notch/groove in the seating of the housing, and according to the plumber the slot/notch/groove was caused by continual leaking of the tap ( which makes no sense to me) was the cause of the leak. I was given information, and estimates, so firstly I would like a second opinion from a professional company as yours did the leaking tap or water cause the notch in the housing, and secondly a price and solution to fix the problem. Hope to hear from you soon.
Answer -
The advice given to you by your plumber appears correct. A groove will occur if a tap is left dripping for a period of time. A groove is caused by water passing between a worn or split jumper valve (tap washer) and brass seat, overtime the water will cut a groove in the brass. A reseat of the tap seat on most occasions will remove this groove and stop that annoying leaking tap, however if left to long a groove will become to deep and require complete replacement of the breecher. This is not a problem for us to repair. For a price on this repair please call our office.
- Ken
Friday, April 30, 2010
Keeping the shower at the right temparature - Diane - Paralowie
Question - My Parents have a gravity fed electric hot water service. We need to get the shower to be mixed so the water stays the right temperature. Can we do this or do we need to get a new solar system? We are with SA water. No-one seems to be able to explain this to me. Diane - Paralowie
Answer-
Adjustingthe taps to achieve a constant temperature in the shower can prove difficult with gravity fed hot water services. This is a common fault we often get asked to look at. There are ways to overcome this problem ranging from the simple installation of a flow restrictor, the installation of a booster pump to the total replacement of the hws to a mains pressure unit. It may just be a case of simply installing a flow restrictor in the cold tap. This reduces the flow of water on the cold side to almost equal that of the hot side which makes it easier to adjust the shower. A hot water booster pump can be installed on the outlet of the hot water service creating a similar effect on the hot side by increasing the hot water flow. A mains pressure installation would guarantee equal flow rates on both sides making the shower easier to adjust. Either a solar or heat pump unit would be ideal for this replacement. One of our technicians would be happy to take a look at this for you.
- Ken
Answer-
Adjustingthe taps to achieve a constant temperature in the shower can prove difficult with gravity fed hot water services. This is a common fault we often get asked to look at. There are ways to overcome this problem ranging from the simple installation of a flow restrictor, the installation of a booster pump to the total replacement of the hws to a mains pressure unit. It may just be a case of simply installing a flow restrictor in the cold tap. This reduces the flow of water on the cold side to almost equal that of the hot side which makes it easier to adjust the shower. A hot water booster pump can be installed on the outlet of the hot water service creating a similar effect on the hot side by increasing the hot water flow. A mains pressure installation would guarantee equal flow rates on both sides making the shower easier to adjust. Either a solar or heat pump unit would be ideal for this replacement. One of our technicians would be happy to take a look at this for you.
- Ken
Friday, February 12, 2010
We have a gas space heater that is about 6 years old. Should i have it serviced before winter? Jenny - West Lakes
Hi Jenny,
Great question...
It is essential that all gas appliances are maintained in a safe condition to prevent yourself from injury. As a matter of fact, in the United Kingdom you are required to conduct an annual service inspection by law. This also ensures a longer life for your appliance, and it preforms as it is designed. For this reason Ken Hall Plumbers strongly recommend you have a service done before using the appliance for the first time coming in to winter.
We conduct the following checks to ensure your appliance is safe to be operated:
- Visually inspect appliance
- Consduct gas tightness test
- Check the flame picture
- Check combustion to ensure the heater is not producing carbon monoxide which is potentially harmful
- Check all fluing
- Clean and remove all dust from fan and filters
- Check heat exchanger for cracks
- Adjust all and report for correct operation.
Give me a call and we will organsie one of our friendly gas technicians to carry out this full pre winter service for you.
- Ken
Great question...
It is essential that all gas appliances are maintained in a safe condition to prevent yourself from injury. As a matter of fact, in the United Kingdom you are required to conduct an annual service inspection by law. This also ensures a longer life for your appliance, and it preforms as it is designed. For this reason Ken Hall Plumbers strongly recommend you have a service done before using the appliance for the first time coming in to winter.
We conduct the following checks to ensure your appliance is safe to be operated:
- Visually inspect appliance
- Consduct gas tightness test
- Check the flame picture
- Check combustion to ensure the heater is not producing carbon monoxide which is potentially harmful
- Check all fluing
- Clean and remove all dust from fan and filters
- Check heat exchanger for cracks
- Adjust all and report for correct operation.
Give me a call and we will organsie one of our friendly gas technicians to carry out this full pre winter service for you.
- Ken
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Blocked Drains. We have tried much plunging, draino, root rid with some effect but keeps coming back to haunt us! What next? Matt - Daw Park
Hi Matt,
Whilst the methods above can help temporarily clear your blocked drain they are not the best long term solution. By using one of our new drain cleaning machines we are able to cut the roots out of your drain giving you more time before they grow back again. Blocked drains are often worse in summer as tress go in search of water. Contact our office and our friendly staff will provide a booking time to get the problem sorted for you once and for all. We gaurantee they will not block again for a minimum of 3 months or we will re-attend under warranty.
- Ken
Whilst the methods above can help temporarily clear your blocked drain they are not the best long term solution. By using one of our new drain cleaning machines we are able to cut the roots out of your drain giving you more time before they grow back again. Blocked drains are often worse in summer as tress go in search of water. Contact our office and our friendly staff will provide a booking time to get the problem sorted for you once and for all. We gaurantee they will not block again for a minimum of 3 months or we will re-attend under warranty.
- Ken
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