Solar Hot Water Repairs
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas, trusted since 1985
Solar hot water not heating, a booster that has stopped working or a leaking system? Our plumbers and licensed gasfitters repair and service solar hot water systems with electric and gas boosters, including relief and tempering valves. We agree a firm price before we pick up the tools, and there’s no call-out fee during business hours.
- 1Tell us what needs doing
- 2Pick a day and time that suits
- 3We confirm and send a local licensed Tap Doctor plumber
- 4Job done, problem solved
- Trusted since 1985
- Fully Licensed & Insured
- No call-out fee in business hours
- Locally Based Plumbers
- ★★★★★2,000+ Google reviews
- Trusted since 1985
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters
- Electric and gas boosted systems
- Phones answered 24/7
Solar hot water cold or leaking? Do this first
A quick check of the booster can save a call-out. If the system is leaking, a few steps stop it doing more damage. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Water not hot: quick checks
- Electric booster: check the hot water switch or circuit breaker at the meter box. If it trips again when you reset it, leave it off.
- Gas booster: check the gas is on and the booster unit has power. Look for an error code.
- Weather: after cloudy days or in winter the booster does most of the work, so a booster fault shows up first in cold weather.
- Only the shower is cold or too hot? That points to the tempering valve, not the solar system.
Leaking solar system: what to do
- Turn the booster off: the hot water circuit at the meter box, or the gas booster at the unit
- Turn off the cold water valve going into the system, or the water at the meter
- Don’t climb onto the roof to look at a roof-mounted tank
- Keep clear of the relief valve and hot pipes: solar water can be very hot
After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
Call 24/7: 1300-655-827Solar hot water repairs we do
Our plumbers and licensed gasfitters repair and service solar hot water systems with electric and gas boosters. We find the fault, explain it, and fix it once you agree the price. Where possible your plumber shows you the worn or broken part.
Leaking solar hot water system
We find where the water is coming from: the relief valve, a fitting, the pipework or the tank. Valves, fittings and pipes can be repaired. A leaking tank has failed and needs replacing.
Booster not heating
Cold water in winter or after cloudy days usually means the booster isn’t working. On electric boosters we test the element and thermostat. On gas boosters a licensed gasfitter finds the fault.
Relief valve (PTR valve)
Solar tanks run hot, so the temperature and pressure relief valve works hard and wears out. We replace worn valves and test the mains pressure if the valve keeps running.
Tempering valve More →
Solar water can be much hotter than other systems, so the tempering valve matters. A worn one lets the shower run too hot or lukewarm. We test it and replace it when it has failed.
Split systems not collecting heat
On split systems, with the tank on the ground and collectors on the roof, a pump moves water between them. When the system stops collecting heat we check the pump, the controller and the pipework.
Solar servicing More →
A service checks the relief valve, the tempering valve, the anode in the tank and the booster, so worn parts are found before the system fails.
Repair, or move to a different system?
A solar system with a sound tank is usually worth repairing. When the tank has failed, it is worth looking at every option before you buy the same again.
Usually worth repairing
A sound tank with a failed relief valve, tempering valve, booster element, thermostat or gas booster fault.
Usually time to replace
Water leaking from the tank itself, rust through the tank, or an old system that keeps needing repairs.
Other systems to consider
Gas continuous flow, gas or electric storage, or a heat pump. See hot water system replacement for how they compare.
You see the evidence
Where possible your plumber shows you the worn or broken part, then gives you a firm price for each option. Nothing starts until you agree.
How pricing works
A solar fault is hard to price without seeing the system, so we don’t guess over the phone. A plumber looks at it, finds the fault and gives you a firm price before any work starts.
No call-out fee in business hours
You don’t pay for us to turn up and look. If you decide not to go ahead, there’s nothing to pay during business hours.
Firm price agreed on site
Your plumber tells you what’s wrong and gives you a firm price before starting. No obligation to go ahead.
Further work quoted first
If we find something else that needs fixing, we stop and give you a price for it before doing it.
Pay when the job is done
Cash, card or Osko bank transfer, collected when the work is finished.
After hours
After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location. We tell you before we send anyone.
How to choose a solar hot water plumber
Whoever you call, these are the checks worth making before anyone works on your solar system. Here’s how we measure up against each one.
What customers say about our solar hot water work
“...Had my leaking solar heater sorted the same day”
“...He also serviced our solar hot water system. He showed us photos of the broken pipe and explained exactly what needed to be done. Highly recommend him and will be calling him for any future jobs.”
“...My solar hot water system is 12 years old, still working but Jamie explained my best options should I need to replace it in the future.”
“A huge thankyou to Jimmy for fitting our new gas instant HWS. Great young guy, nothing too much trouble. Thanks to staff also for a smooth operation throughout. Already happy with system after 45plus years using solar hot water...”
Other hot water services
Hot water system repairs
No hot water from gas or electric systems, pilot lights, leaking systems, relief and tempering valves. Hot water repairs →
Hot water servicing
Relief valve, anode, tempering valve and booster checks that keep a system running longer. Hot water servicing →
Hot water system replacement
Like-for-like swaps and changes to gas continuous flow, gas or electric storage, or a heat pump. Hot water replacement →
All hot water systems
Gas, electric, heat pump and solar systems, and how to choose one. Hot water systems →
Local hot water plumbers, since 1985
Tap Doctor Plumbing & Gas has been working on hot water systems, solar included, since 1985. Our plumbers and gasfitters live and work in the areas they cover, so there’s usually someone close by, and our phones are answered 24/7.
Customers mention our plumbers by name in their reviews, from Luke and Jamie to Jimmy and Chris.
- Perth
- Plumbers and gasfitters in Perth →
- Mandurah
- Plumbers in Mandurah →
- Canberra
- Plumbers in Canberra →
- Gladstone
- Plumbers in Gladstone →
- Phone
- 1300-655-827, 24/7
Solar hot water FAQs
Why isn’t my solar hot water hot?
In winter or after a run of cloudy days, a solar system relies on its booster. If the water is cold, check the booster is switched on: an electric booster at the hot water switch or circuit breaker in the meter box, a gas booster at the unit. If it is on and the water is still cold, the booster element, thermostat or gas booster may have failed, or on a split system the pump or controller may have stopped. Call us and we’ll find the fault.
How does the booster on a solar system work?
The roof collectors heat the water when the sun is out. The booster tops up the heat when the sun can’t keep up. An electric booster is an element inside the tank. A gas booster is usually an instant gas unit that heats the water on its way to the taps.
Why is my solar hot water system leaking?
The usual sources are the temperature and pressure relief (PTR) valve, a fitting or valve on the pipework, the pipes running to the roof, or the tank itself. Valves, fittings and pipes can be repaired. A leak from the tank means the tank has failed. If the tank is on the roof, don’t climb up to look: turn off the booster and the cold water to the system, and call us.
Is it normal for the relief valve on a solar system to release water?
On a hot day a solar tank can get very hot, and the relief valve may let out some water to protect the tank. A valve that runs all day, or drips in cool weather, is usually worn or dealing with mains pressure that is too high. We test the valve and the pressure.
Does a solar system need a tempering valve?
Yes. Water in a solar tank can get much hotter than in a gas or electric tank, so a tempering valve is used to keep the water at the bathroom taps at 50°C or less. If your shower runs too hot or lukewarm, the tempering valve is often the cause.
Do you service solar hot water systems?
Yes. A solar service checks the relief valve, the tempering valve, the anode in the tank and the booster. See hot water servicing for what a service covers.
Is it worth repairing an old solar hot water system?
If the tank is sound and a valve, booster element or thermostat has failed, a repair usually makes sense. If the tank is leaking or rusted through, it is usually time to replace it. Your plumber explains the options and gives you a firm price for each before any work starts.
Can I change from solar to gas or a heat pump?
Yes. Many customers replace a failed solar system with a gas continuous flow unit, a gas or electric storage tank, or a heat pump. See hot water system replacement.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
Not during business hours. You only pay for the work you agree to. After-hours call-out fees vary based on the day, time and location.
Can you come out after hours?
Our phones are answered 24/7 on 1300-655-827, and in most cases we can send a plumber after hours. For a leaking system, call rather than booking online.
Solar hot water not working?
Book online in under 2 minutes, or call us any time.