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During long-term use, solar water heaters tend to produce scale inside due to the influence of water quality. These scales not only reduce the thermal efficiency of the water heater, but can also have a negative impact on the life of the water heater. Therefore, it is crucial to clean the inside of your solar water heater regularly from limescale. The steps and precautions for cleaning limescale in your solar water heater will be detailed below to ensure that your water heater stays in good working order.
1. Preparation before cleaning.
Before cleaning a solar water heater, you need to make adequate preparations. First, make sure that the water heater's power is turned off and the inlet valve is closed to ensure safety. Second, prepare the tools and materials needed for cleaning, such as wrenches, cleaners, soft brushes, or sponges. Finally, check that the water heater's drain valve or drain is unobstructed so that the scale and cleaning fluid can be drained smoothly.
2. Drain the water in the water heater.
Open the drain valve or drain port of the solar water heater and drain all the water in the water heater. This step is to better clean the limescale inside the water heater. During the draining process, the water heater can be gently shaken to help the limescale loosen and drain smoothly.
3. Clean the solar water heater.
Use a special limescale cleaner: Prepare the cleaning solution according to the instructions for use of the detergent. Pour the detergent into the water storage tank of the solar water heater to ensure that the liquid can adequately cover the limescale area. Then let the cleaning solution remain inside the water heater for a while so that the detergent can adequately dissolve the limescale.
Use a mixture of citric acid and water: Mix the citric acid and water in proportions and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the solar water heater's water storage tank to ensure that the liquid can adequately cover the limescale part. Citric acid has a good detergent effect and does not corrode the inside of the water heater.
Use a soft brush or sponge to clean: For hard-to-reach areas such as hot water pipes and heat exchangers, you can use a soft brush or sponge soaked in the cleaning solution. Gently wipe the area that needs to be washed to ensure that limescale and stains are removed.
4. Rinse the inside of the water heater.
After the cleaning is complete, the inside of the solar water heater needs to be rinsed to ensure that the limescale and detergent residue are washed away. Pour clean water into the water heater and drain the water through a drain valve or drain. Repeat this process several times until the drained water becomes clear. During flushing, the water heater can be gently shaken to help the residue loosen and drain smoothly.
5. Turn on the power supply and water source.
After confirming that the cleaning is complete and rinsed, turn on the power and water source of the solar water heater again. Check that the various parts of the water heater are installed securely to ensure that there are no water leaks or other abnormal conditions. Then wait for the water heater to reheat and produce hot water so that you can use it normally.
6. Cleaning frequency and precautionary measures.
The frequency of cleaning of solar water heaters should be based on local water quality conditions. In general, it is recommended to clean it at least once a year to ensure the thermal efficiency and longevity of the water heater. In addition, in order to prevent the formation of limescale, the following measures can be taken:
Control the water temperature: Try to keep the water temperature in the bucket below 80 degrees, 60-70 degrees is the ideal temperature range. This avoids the rapid formation of limescale.
Sun protection measures: In summer or when the sun is strong, you can use sun protection nets or other items to cover the glass tube to reduce the intensity of the sun's rays, thereby reducing the production of limescale.
Install a water temperature indicator: By installing a water temperature indicator, you can easily check the water temperature and water level in the bucket. In this way, the heating strategy can be adjusted according to the actual situation and avoid the formation of limescale caused by excessive water temperature.
With the above steps and precautions, you can effectively clean the scale inside your solar water heater and extend the life of your water heater. At the same time, it is also very important to maintain and maintain the water heater regularly to ensure its long-term stable operation and provide you with a comfortable hot water experience.