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Not to Forget => Solar Heating and Heat Pumps => Topic started by: Corylus on August 06, 2013, 05:30:25 PM

Title: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: Corylus on August 06, 2013, 05:30:25 PM: Hi guys. I've just discovered something that has left me speechless - well almost. You might recall that I finally discovered that the AAV on our panel was installed at right angles to the manifold instead of being vertical. It now turns out that he was trained to do it that way and every single installation he has done is like that. And so are all the others trained by the same person, who is now claiming that in 2009, that's the way it was done and that "it" has now been changed and that its up to installers to keep up with the changes that occur. He's also claiming that they work perfectly well like that and there has never been any trouble with them.

So - a big turn out here please, I need numbers - how were you trained to install an AAV and when?

I'll attach a photo of our installation taken by the wee man from the council, who apparently saw nothing to be alarmed about or he'd have said so at the time. What he did do, was to leave his job at that point without finishing this task - so we'll never know. Somebody just filed it - in a different place from the forms I sent in - so they were still waiting for them to arrive when I went to ask what sort of a pillock passed this installation. Which is when I discovered I don't have a CCC at all.
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: gordyplum on August 06, 2013, 08:04:42 PM: Biggest problem I can see is that aav is (or looks) lower than the panels. I believe that it shxould be the HIGHEST point of any instalation. It should also be fitted in a vertical position to work properly.
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: Corylus on August 06, 2013, 09:58:58 PM: Thank you Gordyplum

What I need to know from you all though is

a) were you trained to install an AAV vertically or not.

b) when did you do that training.

Here is what I was told about the training in 2009 - in the old days all Airvents got installed on an elbow and later on the had to be straight up.I'm finding find it a bit hard to believe. My installer was actually trained to do it this way and is now justifiably annoyed that he is getting into trouble for doing it. I need to know how it was for you guys in 2009 - if you would all be so kind. Thank you.

Obviously Gordyplum. you wee trained to install it vertically - when was that?

Thanks.
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: Enn on August 07, 2013, 08:30:27 AM: Heres a link to caleffi and what they recommend for instalation of air bleed valves.
http://www.caleffi.us/caleffi/en_US/Site/Press_lounge/News/args/detail/~Details~News~news_detail_0000318/type/news/index.sdo

It is always a good idear to check the manufacturers installation instructions. No voiding of any warrenty etc.

I was always told to fit vertical and at the highest point .
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: Corylus on August 07, 2013, 01:25:44 PM: Thank you ENN, specially for the link. I've found various bits of what is there elsewhere on the Calffi website but not all together on one page. Very handy. Thankyou.

I notice it forbids installation at right angles and upside down. Butit doesn't forbid it at an angle - the way mine is. This installer and his trainer are refusing to believe that they won't work in this position - they've seen steam coming out of them with their own eyes - no complaints etc.

I don't see any sign of a shut off valve on mine - do you? I'll attach another photo to let you see.

Thanks for the reply. I'm having trouble getting this to post, Hope it doesn't go twice. Or more.
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: gordyplum on August 07, 2013, 08:33:58 PM: .
Way too old to be trained in solar im afraid. One has to keep up with new technology by reading any information on the subject, and talking to other tradesmen (cpd anyone!!!!!) I also use the very old fashioned method of COMMON SENSE. I really am a dinosaur because I don't think it exists in dna any more :D
Title: Re: training for installers of solar water heating systems
Post by: Corylus on August 07, 2013, 10:15:19 PM: Well gordyplum - I've found more common sense here than anywhere else recently. I'm finding it hard to get my head round there ever being a time when "all Airvents got installed on an elbow", with solar installers being actually trained to do it that way, presumably with everyone single one of them with their brains in neutral - and nobody questioning it. Then some time after 2009, somebody woke up and asked "how can this thing work if the float can't float?" and it all got changed.

Nah. Not possible. But according to him, they are on roofs all over Marlborough, cosied up to state of the art high tech vacuum tubes. ::) All working just fine, I'm told. I got an insight the other day when I was told all this by the installer. He seems to have grown up in a house with very noisy plumbing and isn't at all alarmed by earthquakes going on in the airing cupboard. and can't imagine what I'm fussing about. So maybe Marlburians are conditioned to such events? Somehow I doubt it.