Novasun 150L Instruction & Installation Manual - page 14
Copyright © 2014
Ikhwezi Solar (Pty) Ltd, Novatherm CC, Solar Assist (Pty) Ltd
13
13.
Owners operating and maintenance
instructions
13.1
Introduction
Dear Customer,
Thank you and congratulations on your purchase.
Your system is one of the most advanced
available and is proudly produced in South Africa.
It will provide years of service and savings. The
information below is provided to give guidance in
the effective use and maintenance of your system
and should be retained for future reference.
Yours sincerely,
WE Geysers (Pty) Ltd
13.2
Operating and efficient use
Savings in energy costs achieved is dependent
upon usage patterns and the extent to which
electrical backup is used. The following will assist
in understanding system performance:
Solar radiation is greater on clear, sunny
days, between 9am and 3pm. During
periods of use the system operates at
approximately twice the maximum ambient
temperature and during periods of non-use,
it is possible to achieve well over 70°C.
On days of high radiation schedule washing
loads as close as possible to mid-day.
On low solar radiation days avoid heavy hot
water usage.
Electrical backup, which is thermostatically
controlled and governed by a time-clock,
should be set at 55°C. The time-clock has
battery backup in order to prevent settings
being lost during general power failures. In
order to claim an Eskom rebate, a time-
clock is mandatory. We would advise the
use of a time-clock in any event, as this is
the most efficient method of operating a
solar system.
Time-clock settings should, generally
speaking, be set for two hours in the
morning and two hours in the evening. For
example, if you bath at 06h30 and 18h00,
set your time-clock for 04h00 to 06h00 and
again for 15h00 to 17h00. Ensure backup
time periods do not coincide with localised
load shifting by municipalities employing
ripple relay devices. This will ensure that if
there was not sufficient solar gain during
the day, you will still have hot water in the
evening and early morning.
Solar systems without time-clocks rely on
thermostats to control when the element
switches on and off. This is not efficient or
cost-effective. An example of this would be,
using hot water in the morning which
causes the thermostat to automatically
activate the element to heat your water.
However, this is when the sun will start to
heat your water. Therefore, if you do not
have a time-clock or it is not programmed
properly, you will not save as much energy
as you will use both electricity and solar
energy to heat your water simultaneously.
An override function is provided on the time
clock so you can over-ride programmed
heating times and heat up your water
electrically. This should only be used when
strictly necessary (e.g. during periods of
more than normal usage when guests are
in the residence) and remembering to
revert to pre-programmed settings. This will
save you the optimum amount of electricity
and provide the necessary reduction in
peak-period use.
If you wish to set your timer differently,
you should discuss this with the dealer.
However, your timer must not come on
during Eskom’s peak electricity use periods.
These may change from time to time so
please check with your installer.