Nature's Comfort SunMor SM-V30 Installation Manual - page 2
How It Works
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The SunMor SM-V30 by Nature’s Comfort LLC is a solar water heater that uses the sun’s radiant energy to heat water
through the use of 30 double wall vacuum insulated glass tubes. Each tri-element glass tube has a coating on the
outside of the inner layer of glass made up of nitrogen aluminum to absorb heat on top of a copper coating to transfer
and hold in the heat. The copper coating provides extra efficiency and is a benefit to the Nature’s Comfort brand that
other solar evacuated tube systems do not have. As water is heated through the glass tubes it rises into the storage
tank and cooler water falls to the bottom of each tube to circulate by thermo-siphoning. The double wall vacuum
insulated glass tubes provide the best insulation and won’t freeze the water inside during winter nights. Heat
production can reach up to 36,000 btu’s per day.
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The cold water line into your domestic water heater will be interrupted to first run to the copper coil heat exchanger
in the SM-V30’s storage tank. When a faucet is turned on, water is heated by the hot water created by the sun in the
storage tank which then enters your domestic water heater. Utility is kept on to maintain water temperature and in
case demand overcomes solar production.
Safety Notes
• Always wear gloves and safety glasses whenever installing or working on or around the system.
• Tubes without water in them can reach over 400 degrees inside. DO NOT LOOK INTO OR PLACE YOUR FINGERS IN A
TUBE.
• CAUTION! Water temperatures can exceed 200F! See additional notes on page 4.
• Never close off the exhaust pipe as the SM-V30 is an atmospheric pressure (non-pressurized) system and damage can
occur if the tank is pressurized.
Placement of the Solar Water Heater
• The SM-V30 must be positioned so the maximum exposure to the sun is achieved and also kept as close as possible to
where your water heater tank is located for the best efficiency. The solar water heater can be placed anywhere that is
convenient, including on a rooftop (different frame assembly is required due to roof angle). Make sure to follow
building codes for weight distribution and use flashing and sealant wherever a wall or roof is penetrated.