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Specifications
Metro Solar Systems
Your decision to purchase a Metro Solar hot water system will reward you for many years to come.The Metro Solar range has seen continuous research and development, resulting in many breakthroughs in the efficiency, reliability and longevity of hot water systems. EcoSmart cylinders are manufactured in Australia in a state-of-the-art facility, using a quality endorsed company production system. This is your assurance that you have purchased the highest quality cylinder available, one that will provide continuous hot water for all your needs - safely, economically, and for many years to come.
Metro Solar systems are very efficient and to maximize this efficiency we recommend in most situations using a direct solar circuit. This means the potable drinking water within the water cylinder is pumped directly through the solar collectors without the need for heat exchangers as this will continue to maximize efficiency. Metro Solar systems are simplistic and constructed to last the test of time with little ongoing maintenance required.The only decision now is which Metro Solar system best suits your needs, and although there are many options its really quite simple;
- Complete system : A complete new system will achieve the most efficient installation possible.
- Boost options : You can choose electricity, gas or wetback or any combination of these.
Storage Cylinder
It is by far the best option to install a complete system. Solar hot water storage cylinders are purpose designed to give you maximum solar efficiency. It is recommended that your solar water cylinder holds a minimum volume of 1.5 times your daily hot water consumption. Note;
- If you have a wetback you need to install a Metro Solar 300 or 400 litre stainless steel cylinder which is fitted with a heat exchanger coil.
- If you wish to use your existing hot water cylinder, it will be necessary to determine if it is of suitable design for solar to be efficiently installed.
Important: If a solar system is retrofitted to an existing water storage cylinder, the efficiency of the system will be compromised. Generally an existing cylinder will have insufficient storage capacity and will not have a dedicated lower solar zone within the cylinder which enables the system to achieve maximum solar gain.
Collector Panels
For optimum performance EcoSmart's light weight high efficiency collectors must be installed facing or within 45º of geographical north, and be clear of shading from trees, buildings etc. The ideal inclination of the installed collectors is the angle equal to the latitude of your home + or -20º [Kaitaia = 35º & Invercargill = 46.5º latitude].
The number of solar collectors installed for optimum performance varies on geographical location, collector orientation, cylinder size and hot water usage. As a guide the adjacent table indicates the number of solar collectors required for each of the solar cylinders, but when the collector orientation or other factors exist that are less than ideal, we suggest installing an additional collector. Important: Due to the variables involved in selecting the appropriate number of solar collectors, it is recommended at the time of installation to allow space for the installation of an additional collector at a later date if required.
Boost Options
The lower half of Metro Solar and EcoSmart solar cylinders is a solar zone. Cool water is fed from this zone to the collectors then returned to the upper hot water zone of the cylinder. For times of low solar gain or high water use, a backup boost is required;
- Electric boost simply requires the pre-fitted element in the cylinder to be connected.
- Gas boost requires the addition of an EcoSmart instantaneous gas unit as illustrated.
- Wetback boost is usually connected in addition to electric or gas boost as a wetback is generally only used during the cooler winter months.
The EcoSmart premium gas instantaneous water heater is available as LPG or natural gas. Featuring a stainless steel outer casing, this top of the range unit takes the water preheated by solar, then boosts it to over 60ºc at a rate of 26 litres per minute.
System options
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