Bradford-White Corp Solar Water Heater User Manual

8 

 

FEATURES 
This water heater contains the following features: 

 

HEAT EXCHANGER 

–

 The heat exchanger (coil) is made of porcelain coated single-wall carbon steel tubing and 

has 1” NPT female fittings.  If a confirmed leak occurs, contact the plumbing professional who installed the water 
heater or the manufacturer, listed on the rating plate, for additional guidance.   

SINGLE-WALL HEAT EXCHANGER MODELS – Water heaters with single-wall heat exchangers meets the 
Uniform Plumbing Code for installation in all potable water systems provided that:  
•  The heat transfer medium (including additives) is practically non-toxic, having toxicity rating of class of 1 as listed in 

Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products. 

•  The heat transfer medium pressure is limited to maximum 30 psig by approved relief valve. 
•  The heat transfer medium is potable water or contains only substances that are recognized as safe by the U.S. Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA). 

•  The pressure of the heat transfer medium is maintained less than the normal minimum operating pressure of the 

potable water system. 

•  The equipment is permanently labeled to indicate that only additives recognized as safe by the FDA shall be used 

in the heat transfer medium. 

 
BACKUP HEATING ELEMENTS WITH ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTATS – The temperatures may be 
adjusted from approximately 100°F to approximately 180°F.  The thermostats are factory set at 120°F. It is 
recommended that lower temperatures be used to avoid the risk of scalding.  Refer to the “Warnings” in the section 
on SCALDING in “Section VII – Operating Instructions.”  It is further recommended, in all cases, that the water 
temperature be set for the lowest temperature that satisfies your hot water needs.  This will also provide the most 
energy efficient operation of the water heater and minimizes scale formation.  The thermostat located under the 
middle cover controls the lower heating element.  This ensures that only when the solar heating system cannot satisfy 
user demand that the lower heating element is energized. 

 

Setting the water heater temperature at 120°F will reduce the risk of scalds.  Some states require settings to specific 
lower temperatures. 
 
SENSOR WIRES FOR SOLAR THERMISTOR CONNECTIONS –

Twisted wires are provided under the lower 

and upper covers.  These wires have been provided as a means for connecting thermistors to a solar controller.  
NOTICE: Neither the solar controller nor the thermistors are provided with the solar water heater and must 
be purchased separately.  The lower thermistor wires connect a thermistor for use in comparison to the solar 
collector temperature to determine if an appropriate temperature difference for heat transfer is available.  The upper 
thermistor wires are an optional second thermistor connection to monitor the upper tank temperature.  Some solar 
controllers provide this option. 

INTEGRATED MIXING DEVICE – An ASSE approved temperature mixing device is supplied with the water 
heater.  The solar heating system may transfer heat into the water heater above the temperature limits set by the 
thermostats.  This may create the potential for scald injury.  To protect against injury, you must install the supplied 
ASSE approved mixing valve (a device to limit the temperature of water to protect against scald injury via mixing 
hot and cold water supply) in the water system.  This valve will reduce point of discharge temperature in branch 
supply lines.  Refer to the instructions supplied in the Integrated Mixing Device box for installation procedures and 
device specifications. 

 

 

CAUTION