Solar water heaters have few moving parts, which leads many owners to forget about them until the water runs cold or the tank starts leaking. A short service at regular intervals protects the tank from corrosion, keeps the backup element from working harder than it should, and finds small faults before they become expensive.
We service solar water heaters for villas and buildings in all seven emirates, including Ariston, Zenith and Sundware systems, both thermosyphon and forced circulation.
Why solar water heaters need maintenance
Four things wear a solar system down over time.
Dust. A layer of fine dust on the collector glass reduces the sunlight reaching the absorber. After a dusty spell or sandstorm, output can drop noticeably.
Scale. Where water is hard, minerals build up on the heating element and inside the tank. A scaled element runs hotter and fails sooner, and scale takes up tank volume.
Corrosion. Enamelled steel tanks rely on a sacrificial anode. Once it is used up, the tank itself starts to corrode, and that damage cannot be reversed.
Sun and heat. UV light breaks down pipe insulation and some seals, and very high summer temperatures put stress on valves.
None of these cause sudden failure. They reduce performance gradually, until a part gives way.
What a solar water heater service includes
Collectors
- Clean the collector glass or evacuated tubes
- Inspect for cracked glazing, broken tubes and damaged seals
- Check frame fixings and roof sealing points
Tank and heating
- Inspect the magnesium anode and replace it if depleted
- Remove and descale the backup heating element where scale has built up
- Test the element and thermostat electrically
- Flush sediment from the tank where the design allows
Valves and pipework
- Test the pressure and temperature relief valve
- Check the thermostatic mixing valve, if fitted, for correct outlet temperature
- Check the non-return and isolation valves
- Inspect pipe insulation and replace UV-damaged sections
- Look for leaks at every joint
Forced circulation systems
- Check the circulation pump’s operation
- Test temperature sensors and controller settings
- Confirm the pump switches on and off at the right temperature difference
At the end of the visit, you receive a short summary of the system’s condition and any parts that need replacing soon.
The anode: the part that protects your tank
Most domestic solar tanks are steel with an enamel (glass) lining. No lining is perfect, so a magnesium anode rod is fitted inside. It corrodes in place of the steel, sacrificing itself to protect the tank.
How quickly an anode wears depends on the water. Some last several years; others are badly eroded much sooner. The only way to know is to inspect it.
Replacing a worn anode is a small job. Replacing a tank that has corroded through because the anode was never checked is a large one, usually involving taking the old tank off the roof and lifting a new one up. This is the strongest reason to service a solar water heater regularly.
How often to service
As a guide, a solar water heater should be serviced at least once a year. Consider more frequent visits if:
- your water leaves heavy scale on taps and shower heads
- the property is in a dusty area or near construction
- the system serves a large household or a commercial property
- it is a forced circulation system with a pump and controller
If scale is a recurring problem, a water softener can reduce how often the element needs descaling.
Signs your system needs attention
- Hot water runs out sooner than it used to
- The backup element seems to be working more, or electricity bills have risen
- The relief valve discharges constantly
- Rust-coloured or smelly hot water
- Popping or rumbling sounds from the tank
- Visible damage to collectors or insulation
If there is no hot water at all, the tank is leaking, or the heater trips the electricity, book a solar water heater repair instead.
What you can do yourself
- Rinse dust off the collector glass with plain water, early in the morning or late in the evening when the glass is cool, and only if you can reach it safely from the roof
- Keep plants, stored items and new rooftop equipment from shading the collectors
- Watch the relief valve discharge point for continuous flow
- Note changes in hot water temperature or how long it lasts
Leave anode, element, valve and electrical work to a technician.
One-off service or contract?
A single annual service suits most homeowners. If you manage several properties, or want the solar heater serviced together with AC, plumbing and pumps, an annual maintenance contract keeps every visit on schedule.
What affects the cost
The cost depends on the system type and size, roof access, whether the element needs descaling, and parts such as anodes, valves or insulation. Parts are quoted before fitting.
Servicing across the UAE
We service solar water heaters in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Our office is in Al Khabaisi, Dubai. Visits within Dubai are free; outside Dubai a AED 250 site-visit charge applies, which is fully deducted from the service cost if you go ahead. All visits are scheduled in advance.
Maintenance for larger and commercial systems
Hotels, staff accommodation, residential buildings and other properties with large solar installations have more collectors, larger or multiple tanks, and often pumps, controllers and mixing stations. These systems benefit from a written maintenance schedule, with more frequent checks of pumps, sensors and valves, and regular monitoring of tank temperatures. Because hot water storage in larger buildings can be a hygiene concern, keeping stored water hot enough and checking mixing valves matters as much as efficiency.
Keeping a service record
A simple record of each service, noting the anode condition, parts replaced and any recommendations, makes it far easier to judge when a system is approaching the end of its life. It also helps if you sell or let the property. We provide a written summary after each visit.
Recent solar water heater maintenance work
Photos from solar water heating systems we have supplied, installed and serviced across the UAE. Tap any photo to view it full size.
Cleaning the collector glass during a service.
Dust on the collector glass cuts the heat a system collects.
Large storage tanks on a commercial solar hot water system.
A commercial collector array that is serviced on a schedule.
Flat-plate collector array on a rooftop.
Collector array on a residential building.
Working on the pipework of an Ariston solar tank.
Solar water heaters on a Dubai villa roof.Request a quote for solar water heater maintenance
Tell us what you need and send photos on WhatsApp if you can. Site visits within Dubai are free, and every price is confirmed before work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a service take?
A typical domestic system takes an hour or two, longer if the element needs descaling or the tank must be drained.
Will I lose hot water during the service?
Briefly, if the tank is drained for anode or element work. It refills and reheats afterwards. The backup element speeds this up.
Can you service a brand you did not install?
Yes. We service Ariston, Zenith and Sundware systems and can assess most other makes.
Does a stainless steel tank need an anode?
Some stainless designs do not use one, while others do. The service is tailored to your tank’s design.
Is servicing worth it on an old system?
Often, yes. An inspection tells you whether the tank is still sound, which helps you plan a repair or replacement rather than facing a sudden failure.
Should I service the system before summer or winter?
Either works. Many owners choose late winter or spring, so the system is clean and checked before the peak solar months and descaled after the cooler season’s heavier backup use.
What if the anode cannot be removed?
Some older anodes seize in place. They can usually be removed with the right tools. If the fitting is badly corroded, we will explain the options before proceeding.
Related services
For faults, see solar water heater repair. If the service finds that the tank is near the end of its life, our installation and replacement team can fit a new system. For an overview of systems and brands, see solar water heaters.