Results 1 to 4 of 4
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Sevenhill SA
    Posts
    1

    Default Hot Water, no pressure after rainwater ran out

    Hi, I have a Rheem solar hot water system (split so the tank is on the ground), boosted by mains, we are on rainwater, so have an electric pump to supply water to the house. We ran out of rain water the other day and got a mains water delivery, (only the 5th time this summer!) since then we have had very little hot water pressure, the cold water is fine, I'm thinking there is air in the system and can hear gurgle noises when the hot water is on, but, no idea on what to do, can you bleed hot water tanks?, any ideas would be appreciated.<o></o>

    By the way, I have cleaned a small filter in the tank inlet, this sometimes gets clogged up when water from the bottom of the rainwater tank passes though it, so it's not the filter.<o></o>
    Last edited by ozwinner; 18th March 2007 at 09:25 PM. Reason: office tags

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Kentucky NSW near Tamworth, Australia
    Age
    86
    Posts
    1,067

    Default

    Tim

    Is that the model that circulates the water through the solar panels with a small pump.

    If so you may be able to bleed any air from the tank at the solar panels by undoing one of the plugs on the end of the solar the higher up the better.

    I thought there was a blled valve near the outlet for the hot water.

    I would have thought that if you were on mains pressure the air would eventually be expelled through the taps. You may have to run it for a while.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Adelaide - West
    Age
    43
    Posts
    311

    Default

    Although an obvious waste of water I suggest finding the furthest point away from you outlet of the solar heater ( If it's central then both ends is ok to). Turn these taps on for five to ten minutes and see if the pressure getts better. A higher point is better.
    If you dont play it, it's not an instrument!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Blackrock Vic Aus
    Age
    79
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Agreed with others on this.

    Air lock (a big volume of air caught up in the pipework which cannot be expelled) is the most logical problem.

    IMHO the following procedure should be followed

    First turn off the pump.
    Next, open a valve or plug at the highest (vertical) point in the system.
    Turn on the pump and watch the water flow from the open point in the system.
    Once the flow is smooth and free of air you can replace the plug or close the valve while the pump is running.
    Open the downstream valves and bleed the air from the rest of the system.

    The problem is that air is compressible while water is non compressible hence, while the pump is running there will be compression of the entrapped air and this will be fluid enough to displace the water from the pump when turned off.

    Trust this is understandable.

    Peter

Similar Threads

  1. Hot water goes cold in the pipes: what to do
    By silentC in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 19th July 2006, 10:16 AM
  2. Hot Water Pressure Problems
    By DarrylF in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 5th July 2006, 11:10 AM
  3. One for the plumbers
    By Daddles in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 3rd July 2006, 10:55 PM
  4. Gas hot water heaters
    By Bob Willson in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH RENOVATION
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 29th March 2005, 12:16 PM
  5. changing tap washers on hot water taps
    By jackiew in forum PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL, HEATING, COOLING, etc
    Replies: 85
    Last Post: 6th May 2004, 06:43 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •