Solar Water Heater Services in Florida

How a solar water heating system works

A solar water heater has two halves. On the roof, one or more collectors absorb heat from the sun. Below, a storage tank holds the heated water, and in almost every Florida system that tank also contains an electric element, or sits alongside a conventional heater, as backup for cloudy days and heavy use.

How heat gets from roof to tank depends on the type of system:

• Active, direct systems pump household water up to the collector and back down to the tank.
• Active, closed-loop systems pump a heat-transfer fluid through the collector and pass its heat to the water through a heat exchanger, so household water never goes on the roof.
• Passive systems use no pump. Some rely on warm water rising naturally from a collector to a tank placed above it; others store water in the collector itself.

Active systems have a controller and temperature sensors, one at the collector and one at the tank, which switch the pump on only when the roof is hotter than the water below.

Why solar faults go unnoticed

Because the backup element keeps the water hot, a solar system can stop contributing without anyone realizing. The pump fails, a sensor drifts, or the controller loses its settings, and the house carries on with hot water from the element as if nothing had changed. The first sign is often a higher electricity bill, or an owner who glances up and wonders why the pump never seems to run. That's why an occasional check makes sense on any solar system, even one that seems fine.

Common problems

Pumps

Circulation pumps on active systems wear out, jam or lose power. A silent pump on a sunny afternoon, with a hot collector on the roof, is a strong clue.

Controllers and sensors

If a sensor fails or reads wrongly, the controller may never start the pump, or run it at night and lose heat from the tank to the sky. Controllers themselves can fail, sometimes after a power disturbance.

Leaks

Collectors, the pipework running across the roof and the points where pipes pass through the roof can all leak with age. A leak at a roof penetration may show up as a ceiling stain rather than a problem with hot water.

Heat-transfer fluid

Closed-loop systems rely on fluid that breaks down over years and needs checking and eventually replacing. Degraded fluid carries heat less well and can foul the system.

Air and valves

Air trapped in the loop can stop circulation. Check valves, mixing valves, air vents and the relief valves on the system all wear.

The backup heater

The storage tank's element and thermostat fail like those in any electric heater, and because they often do more work than the owner realizes, they can wear faster than expected.

A note on cooler areas

Most Florida solar water systems sit in mild conditions year-round. In North Florida and the Panhandle, winter cold snaps are more of a factor, and systems there were typically designed with protection against the cold in mind: a closed loop with suitable fluid, or controls and valves that protect the collector. If you've taken on an older system in those areas, it's worth having a technician confirm what kind it is and that its protection is working.

What a service visit covers

A technician looks at the whole system, not just the tank. They check that the controller is reading sensible temperatures from both sensors and switching the pump correctly, that the pump runs and circulates, and that the backup element and thermostat work. On closed-loop systems they check the fluid's condition and pressure. They look for leaks along the pipework and at the tank, check the valves, and look at what they can of the collector and its connections. The tank also gets the same attention as any other: relief valve, drain valve, sediment and, where fitted, the anode rod.

Roof access is part of some visits and not others. If a collector or roof penetration needs work that involves the roof covering itself, a roofer may need to be involved as well.

What we will and won't say

You'll find plenty of claims elsewhere about how much solar water heating saves. We don't make any here, because the answer depends on the system, its condition, your household's use and many other factors. Our job is to get an existing system working as intended, or to help you decide what to do if it's reached the end of its life.

Reroofing and old systems

Many solar systems come to attention when the roof is due for replacement. The collectors and roof pipework have to be disconnected and removed for the roofer, then either reinstalled or retired. Owners with an older system that hasn't contributed much in years sometimes take that moment to remove it and move to a conventional, heat pump or tankless heater. Others keep it and have it serviced. Either way, it helps to have a water heater technician involved before the roofer arrives, so the system is drained and disconnected properly.

If the system is past saving

If the collectors are badly degraded, the tank is failing or parts are no longer available, the storage tank can be replaced with a conventional heater, or a heat pump unit, which suits Florida's climate well. The replacement and heat pump installation guides cover those options.

What affects the cost

• The fault. A sensor or controller costs less than a pump, and fluid replacement or collector work costs more.
• System type. Closed-loop and active systems have more components than passive ones.
• Roof access. Steep, tall or tiled roofs take more time and care.
• Parts availability. Components for older systems may need sourcing.

The price is explained ahead of any work, along with any added charges.

How long it takes

A check of the controller, sensors, pump and backup element can usually be done in one visit, and simple part swaps often can too. Fluid replacement, collector repairs and anything needing parts for an older system may take longer or require a second visit. Hot water usually continues from the backup element while solar components are being repaired.

Solar water heater questions

How can I tell if my solar water heater is actually working?

On a sunny afternoon, an active system's pump should be running and the pipe returning from the roof should be warmer than the one going up. If the pump never seems to run, or both pipes feel the same, the solar side may have stopped contributing. A technician can check the controller readings and confirm.

Why do I still have hot water if the solar system has failed?

Almost every Florida solar water system has an electric backup element in the storage tank or a separate conventional heater. When the solar side stops contributing, the backup quietly takes over. That's why failures often go unnoticed until someone checks the system or sees a higher electricity bill.

Do you work on the roof collectors?

The technicians we connect you with service the whole system, including collectors and roof pipework where they can be reached safely. Where work affects the roof covering itself, such as a leaking roof penetration, a roofer may also need to be involved. The technician will explain what's needed.

What is the fluid in a closed-loop solar system?

It's a heat-transfer fluid that circulates between the collector and a heat exchanger in the tank, so household water never goes onto the roof. It breaks down over years, carrying heat less effectively, and needs checking and eventually replacing as part of routine service on that type of system.

We're replacing our roof. What happens to the solar water heater?

The collectors and roof pipework need to be drained, disconnected and removed before roofing, then reinstalled or retired afterwards. Getting a water heater technician involved before the roofer starts avoids damage to the system. Some owners use the moment to remove an old system and switch to another type of heater.

Should I keep an old solar water heating system?

If it's in reasonable condition and parts are available, servicing it is often worthwhile. If the collectors are degraded, the tank is failing or it hasn't contributed in years, replacing it with a conventional or heat pump heater may make more sense. A technician can assess the system and price both paths.

Why does my solar system's pump run at night?

Usually a sensor or controller fault. The pump should only run when the collector is hotter than the tank. If a sensor reads wrongly or the controller's settings are lost, it can run at the wrong time and carry heat away from the tank. A technician can check both sensors and the controller.

Can a solar storage tank be replaced on its own?

Often, yes. If the tank has failed but the collectors, pump and controller are sound, a replacement storage tank suited to solar use can be fitted. If the whole system is ageing, it may be time to weigh a full replacement instead. The technician will explain the options.