In Tucson’s climate, many homeowners utilize solar energy to maximize efficiency, particularly for water heating. We recently completed a complex installation in a home's mechanical room, replacing an outdated natural gas water heater that was struggling to keep up with and safely integrate with the existing indirect solar water heating system. The project was an extensive overhaul, designed not just for replacement, but for significant safety and performance enhancement.
The Need for a Full System Overhaul
The existing gas water heater was in bad shape, having reached the end of its functional life. Critical safety devices on the tank were found to be leaking, posing both a maintenance and safety risk. Because the home utilizes an indirect solar water heating system—where the sun pre-heats the water before it reaches the tank—the replacement required specialized components to ensure the two systems worked together safely and efficiently.
Premium Installation and Safety Integration
We installed a premium Rheem 50-gallon natural gas water heater, selected for its efficiency and reliability. The focus of the project, however, was on fully renovating the surrounding infrastructure to meet modern standards for hybrid solar/gas systems:
- Piping and Controls Renovation: We completely renovated the water piping at the tank and installed emergency water shutoff controls to provide the homeowner with quick system isolation in an emergency.
- Solar Safety Device (Mixing Valve): A critical component of this installation was the new safe water temperature mixing device. Solar heating systems can sometimes produce water at dangerously high temperatures. This safety device is essential and code-required for solar-assisted systems, as it precisely regulates the amount of hot water entering the home by mixing it with cold water, ensuring a safe, controlled temperature at the tap.
- Pressure Management: We integrated both a high-pressure expansion system and a high-pressure and temperature release system renovation. These systems are vital for safely managing the pressure and temperature fluctuations inherent in a closed-loop system, especially when heat is added from the solar collectors.
- Instant Hot Water: To enhance daily convenience and reduce water waste, we installed a hot water instant delivery pump system. This pump recirculates hot water through the lines, providing near-instant hot water to fixtures throughout the home.
- Durability and Exhaust: We upgraded the scale removal system to protect the new unit in Tucson’s hard water environment and ensured proper safety with a renovated exhaust removal pipe at the tank and a new safety drain pan to contain any potential leaks.
Hot Water Restored and Future-Proofed
After making all the necessary plumbing connections and conducting thorough leak testing, the hot water was fully restored to the home. This extensive installation not only brought the household’s water heating system up to current safety and performance codes but also dramatically improved the integration between the traditional gas appliance and the solar pre-heating system. This ensures the homeowner benefits from the efficiency of solar power without compromising on safety or reliable performance.
Do you have an existing solar water heater that needs better integration or a failing conventional backup unit in Tucson, AZ? We specialize in complex hybrid water heater installations and safety upgrades.
