Streamline 272RLX
Split System Solar Water Heater
Solahart's split system RLX series solar water heaters are designed to give you the maximum flexibility of installation locations. The low profile and unobtrusive Solahart solar collectors are mounted on the roof, whilst the storage tank is mounted at ground level out of sight. The electric boosted model can even be installed inside your home. This minimises the visual impact of going solar, while maximising the potential savings from the sun. These open-circuit systems have enhanced recirculating freeze protection(‡), utilising an electronically controlled back-up frost element for cold weather conditions. They can be installed at altitudes up to 600m in Australia, although an RCS07X series system with CSA2007 collectors is recommended for an installation between 400m and 600m altitude. They are not suitable for harsh water areas (∠).
Family size
270
Capacity (L)
2
Collectors
10/3/2 yr
Warranty†
Streamline 272RLX: Key Attributes
Optimal Performance
Most suitable for areas that receive medium to high levels of solar radiation and are not subject to frost conditions.
Booster Options
The electric boosted models are equipped with an in-tank element. Alternatively the system can be installed as a pre-heater with an inline Solahart gas booster water heater.
Split Solar System
Solahart’s split system solar water heaters are designed to give you the maximum flexibility of installation locations, while minimises the visual impact of going solar and maximising the potential savings from the sun.
Environmental Incentives
There is an incentive resulting in a financial benefit to households that install solar hot water, under the Renewable Energy Target – a Federal Government legislated scheme. Your Solahart Expert can deduct the value of the financial benefit as an upfront discount off your system.
The Streamline 272RLX system is available with Solahart's 'L' solar collectors to harvest the sun's heat and transfer it to the water. The L collector with its black powder coated aluminium absorber plate provides economical service in low to high solar gain areas. Two or three L collectors may be installed with a 270RMX solar storage tank.
Solar energy is transferred directly to the water as it is moved through the collectors by a circulator and the heated water is stored in the ground mounted RMX series tank. The electric boosted models are equipped with an in-tank element to ensure a supply of hot water during periods of poor or no solar gain. Alternatively the system can be installed as a preheater with an inline Solahart gas booster water heater.
Stylish slimline design
Minimum visual impact
Can cut water heating energy use by up to 65%^
Choice of collectors to suit high to low solar gain areas
* The suggested price is comprised of RRP less the applicable solar incentive and excluding installation. Solar incentive value applies to 272RLX system in Zone 3.
^ Energy savings of up to 65% shown are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling of a Solahart 272RLX and using a medium load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing an electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of Solahart system installed, orientation and inclination of the solar collectors, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff.
† Solahart Warranty Details: 10/3/2 warranty; 10 year cylinder and collector supply, 3 year cylinder and collector labour, 2 year parts supply including labour; applies to a single family domestic dwelling only. Without limiting these periods, a 5-year whole-of-product warranty applies where a rebate has been received under Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes Program for installations from 1st July 2023. For further details, call 131 031.
All other applications have a 3/1/1 warranty; 3 year cylinder and collector supply, 1 year parts supply, 1 year labour.
‡ Enhanced Frost Protection – these systems have a level of enhanced recirculating freeze protection designed to guard against freeze conditions. These systems are suitable to be installed at an altitude not exceeding 600 m above sea level.
∠ Harsh water regions – the Solahart warranty may not apply if the water heater is connected to a water supply which: is scaling with a saturation index >+0.8, or; is corrosive with a saturation index <-1.0, or; has a Total Dissolved Solids content >2500 mg/L.
How Split System Solar Water Heaters Work
The Solahart 272RLX split solar water heater is designed to be installed as an electric boosted solar water heater with its booster heating unit connected to a power supply, however it may be installed with an in-series continuous flow or storage booster. If installed with an in-series booster, then the electric booster heating unit will not be connected to a power supply.
Solar Operation
The operation of the circulator is controlled by the combination of:
The hot sensor located at the outlet of the solar collectors. The hot sensor measures the water temperature at the outlet of the solar collectors.
The cold sensor located at the solar cold outlet at the base of the solar storage tank. The cold sensor measures the water temperature at the bottom of the solar storage tank.
The differential controller located in the solar control unit.
With open circuit split systems, the water is circulated from the tank at ground level through the solar collectors by an electric pump called a 'circulator'. As the sun heats the water in the solar collectors, the increase in temperature activates the circulator. The circulator switches on whenever the water in the solar collectors is hotter than the water in the solar storage tank. The circulator moves the hotter water from the solar collectors through the solar hot pipe to the solar storage tank and the cooler water from the solar storage tank is circulated to the solar collectors via the solar cold pipe to be heated by the sun’s energy.
This process continues whilst solar energy is available and the water in the solar storage tank requires heating. The circulator will deactivate when the water temperature in the solar storage tank is around 70°C to 75°C.
During normal operation if the amount of solar energy available reduces, such as when the sky becomes very cloudy or the sun becomes lower in the sky in the late afternoon, and the water no longer gains usable heat from the solar collectors, the circulator will deactivate. The water heater will then enter standby mode.
Night Time Cooling Operation
The purpose of Night Time Cooling operation is to rid the solar storage tank of excess solar energy gained by Over-temperature operation during that day. The desired water temperature in the solar storage tank is to be between 60°C to 70°C.
If the solar control unit has entered Over-temperature operation during the day, then after the water temperature in the solar collectors reduces later in the day or early evening, the circulator will activate. Water from the solar storage tank will circulate through the solar collectors and excess heat in the water will radiate from the solar collectors reducing the temperature of the water. The water will circulate for a period of time and until the water temperature in the solar storage tank is around 60°C to 70°C. The water heater will then enter standby mode.
Freeze Protection Operation
The purpose of Freeze Protection operation is to prevent freezing of water in the solar collectors and solar pipe work in very cold conditions. The water in the solar collectors will cool during periods of no solar gain. In very cold conditions, such as overnight and very early in the morning before sunrise, the water temperature can approach freezing point.
If the hot sensor measures that the water temperature in the solar collectors is approaching freezing, the circulator will activate. Water from the solar storage tank, containing more energy than the water in the solar collectors, will circulate through the solar collectors keeping the water temperature above freezing point. The circulator will remain on for some minutes and until the hot sensor measures a water temperature at a safe level above freezing. When both of these conditions are met, the circulator will deactivate. The water heater will then enter standby mode.
This process will repeat whenever the hot sensor measures that the water temperature in the solar collectors is approaching freezing.
This model also has enhanced frost protection. The frost element located at the bottom of the solar storage tank will turn on when the circulator activates and the cold sensor measures a very low water temperature at the bottom of the tank. The purpose of the anti-freeze heating unit is to provide additional energy to the water to assist in the prevention of freezing in the solar pipe work and solar collectors. The frost element will turn off when either the water temperature has risen by a few degrees or the circulator deactivates. The water heater will then enter standby mode.
Standby Mode
The water heater will be in Standby mode whenever conditions are not favourable for solar heating in Normal operation, and Over-temperature operation and Night Time Cooling are not required or have been completed, and conditions are not cold enough for or in-between Freeze Protection operation.