36 – Part 4: Maintenance
Estimated life of components
Proper care and maintenance of your solar system will determine the life expectancy of the individual components of the
system. Refer to the manufacturers’ warranty of the individual components for warranty coverage. To obtain warranty
service, call your local service or installing contractor.
!
WARNING
Following installation of the T & P Relief Valve, the valve lever MUST be operated AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR by the water
heater owner to ensure that waterways are clear. Certain naturally occurring mineral deposits may adhere to the valve,
blocking waterways, rendering it inoperative. When the lever is operated, hot water will discharge if the waterways
are clear. PRECAUTIONS MUST BE TAKEN TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY FROM CONTACT WITH HOT WATER AND
TO AVOID PROPERTY DAMAGE. BEFORE operating lever, check to see that a discharge line is connected to the valve,
directing the flow of hot water from the valve to a proper place of disposal (T&P valve must be piped to the outdoors or to
a floor drain per state and/or local building codes). If no water flows when the lever is operated, replacement of the valve is
required. TURN THE WATER HEATER “OFF” AND CALL A PLUMBER IMMEDIATELY. This device is designed for emergency
safety relief and shall not be used as an operating control. A relief valve functions, in an emergency, by discharging water.
Therefore, it is essential that a discharge line be piped from the valve in order to carry the overflow to a safe place of
disposal. The discharge line must be the same size as the valve outlet and must pitch downward from the valve and
terminate at least 6” above a drain where any discharge will be clearly visible.
