Apricus 250ltr Tank

Garbage on my roof – Don't go near them, instal a shonky system and then don't enable any contact, a complete scam. The system dumped all the solar heated water then refilled the tank with peak electricity and somehow still managed to deliver only cold water for a $6k energy bill. CATASTROPHIC SCAMMERS SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. I have a worthless heap of junk on my roof -… Read more

maybe the problem could've been easily rectified - I can't afford another bill to find out. Endless phone calls and messages - I tried countless times for months, years. This was an expensive system. I would've had more hot water from a kettle. Even my skilled electrician couldn't get the junk to work. Tried a booster button and it still just dumped any warm water it heated with the peak electricity. It doesn't take much to answer a phone or a message on a website - THAT TELLS YOU EVERYTHING - THEY REALLY, TRULY DON'T GIVE A DAMM ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR MONEY.

Terrible service – Worked well for about 5 years but then the tank started leaking. Although they say you have a ten year warranty Apricus wont honour it unless you can prove that you have had it serviced. Ours was serviced but I couldnt provide proof of what was done so they wouldnt honour their warranty. In the end it failed completely and I couldnt wait for them so I had to replace the tank. No support so I was out of pocket big time. Show details

Worst hot water system I have ever installed – We installed an Apricus Solar HWS in February 2014 to replace an old Solarhart that had been in service for 17 years. Eighteen months later we had a warranty issue which was rectified without any issues. During the first four-five years our water was always hot and the electric booster was only needed when there was prolonged cloud cover. We… Read more

then started to notice that the water was not as hot without the electric booster even though we were going through cloudless 30+ degree days. The panels were cleaned and it made no difference. We were at a stage where the booster was on 24/7 else our water was simply not heating and was lukewarm.

We contacted Apricus in July 2019 and did the temperature tests as instructed. We were then told that the results were normal within their "IP protected secret range" yet they had no idea what day time and night time temperatures or weather conditions we were experiencing at the time and hence had no basis for advising that our system was running as it should. In fact, we were told that that system should always have the electric booster on! We live on the NSW North Coast. It gets hot here. Certainly hot enough to have warmed our water for the initial four-five year period.

Test results below:

9.30am

COL fluctuated between 30 - 25.8 - 30.8 TST 20 S3 22.3

4.11pm

COL 36.7 TST 39.3 S3 40.2

20 degrees is cold and 40 degrees is lukewarm on days that were reaching the mid-20s.

Normally I would have pushed for a warranty claim however as the tank was rusting at the inlets/outlets etc and looking very ordinary, I opted to have it thrown out and instead installed an instantaneous gas HWS which works a treat. And we saved over 15% off our electricity bill.

I was very disappointed with the customer service person who simply "pushed back" and did not admit that there could be a problem with the system.

I don't think there is an issue with the technology however the components do not appear to be up to scratch. "Cheap and nasty" is a term I would apply.

I'm happy with my Apricus hot water – I'd like to thank the technical Apricus team from Melbourne Who fixed my Apricus hot water system when they came to W.A.They were extremely polite and efficient, and put me in touch with their W.A. rep. since been fixed my system has given me as much hot water as I need. Apricus is a fantastic product .It's obvious this product needs to be… Read more ·  3

installed by an Apricus installer.

September 5th 2018 Update: I'm still happy with my Apricus hot water

I live in Southern western Australia,The weather here is cloudy cold and wet in winter and spring. My 30 tube Apricus hot water system is boosted by a 90 litre gas bottle and I have had the same gas bottle which was installed with my Apricus hot water system for 2 years now! and it is still half full of gas! My Apricus is extremely cheap to run. I am very happy with it.

Lucia

January 5th 2019 Update: Apricus hot water system

My 30 tube apricus hot water system works extremely efficiently in cloudy weather and even in winter. using the same 90 litre bottle of gas as a booster ,we haven't had to buy another and we have had the system for 2 and a half years!! I don't think I could find anything cheaper to run ! It's a great product!

quality gear ,professional company – 10 year old system, tank and circulating pump an tubes live out in Queensland weather. Never problems, flow of hot water slowed few days ago. supplier contacted Apricus company, that responded promptly, put me in contact with technician that talked me through the diagnosis and problem of dirty inlet strainer fixed in few minutes. cost neutral! Professional honest company, great gear! Show details

Gas boosted Solar – We have just replaced our gas boosted water heater after 11 years of faithful service with no issues or problems at any time. The water is sooo hot in summer. Of course we use more boost in winter but still are extremely pleased with the savings and efficiency. Apricus organised the replacement and covered the cost of freight. The no fuss… Read more ·  1

installation was conducted by their preferred installers Laser Plumbing. Ros is a major asset to Apricus. Her customer service, knowledge of the product and follow up was excellent. Thanks so much for your help Ros! Leanne and Bill Sanderson

Warranty Claim – Huge thank you to Ros West for exceptional service regarding our recent warranty claim AAW-3201. Ros was extremely helpful and knowledgeable at every stage of the process. Linda & Eric Hartley  Show reply

Don’t want to honour warranty if you have issues – Regularly serviced and anode changed and tank failed 1week asked for pictures of failure /provided 2week asked for service records /provided 3week asked for anode to be removed and pressure relief valve in operation pictures Accc said you do not have to do this as is inappropriate After 6 week of no hot water told they would not honour warranty Show details

Apricus solar HW installed 2009 – Installed at initial cost to us of just over $6000 in 2009 sine then we had to replace pump, controller Solar Stat and again it is not working. We are in Jun 2021 and have got to cost us up $8000. We are asking for quote to decommission it and go to old system gas HW which will cost us $2000 plus decommissioning of Apricus around $1200. The… Read more

problem is that initially we have gone for Apricus for environmental issues but considering that the system can not work without use both electricity and gas it is dead loss to us financially and no benefit to the environment. This was at my old age the worst mistake I have ever made and if I would have another life time I could not recover the cost.

TRIED IT BUT GOING BACK TO DUX – Lived in same house for 30 years - Dux Hot Water System lasted 21 years! Apricus System lasted 9 years! Warranty 10 years but not honoured. You judge for yourself. We're going back to Dux. Show details

Repair – Ros was exceptional getting the problem solved by diagnosing the fault and the speed of replacement parts to be installed by an Apricus plumber Graham who was very efficient.. well done to you all.. Show details ·  1

Reliable and huge savings on gas – My summer gas bill dropped from about $40 (actual usage) to $5 after getting this system. It is elevated above my solar panels, so made good use of my roof. The temperature is perfect at all times of the year (it does have a booster). I've used it since May 2014 and am very happy. It wasn't cheap to install, but it makes a big difference to household carbon emissions. Show details ·  1

Service – Great system, great service , Ros at Apricus back within hours with answers to my service problem, contact Phil Hniat and job done in just one day, system now running better than any time in my experience. Most impressed. Ted White Beach Show reply

Great support from Apricus – I had my tank for 9 years, when I found that it was leaking and rusted I called Ros, Head Office. NSW Ros quickly organised a replacement tank and arranged for transport. Helped me find a plumber, (Passive Plumbing) really professional bloke. Great job, very happy. Thanks Ros. Wendy Melbourne.  Show reply

My Apricus 11+ Y/O Unit back into action – My 11+ year old Apricus pump and controller for my Apricus solar-tube system was finally on the blink and Amy Sears gave excellent advice on what needed fixing, enabled me to easily order and pay for the necessary spare parts and followed up with excellent advice on a repair person, giving welcomed follow-up to ensure the tradesman arrived,… Read more ·  1

ensuring too that he also had the parts that had been ordered and paid for. The work was quickly and skilfully completed by the recommended plumber, Darren Bride, who certainly knows his way around the Apricus units. I am happy to recommend both Amy and Darren for their help and service with the repairs necessary for my unit. Ian, Glen Waverley, Vic.

Problem solved – Hi I hereby fully reciprocate the last review I posted on this site in regards to my 40 tube apricus solar hot water system. I’d have to say I thought it was a total heap of crap up on my roof it’s taken nearly four years to get it sorted until the plumber showed up and told me there was a faulty batch of copper tubes inside the glass ones, since… Read more ·  1

replacing those under warranty the thing is smoking free hot water no gas at all and it’s autumn loving it it’s full steam ahead from here on in go apricus

My collector panel is a dud – This is about a 22 tube collector panel, installed about three years ago. The unit is in a new house that has been vacant all of that time Apricus installed new tubes two months ago but it didn't make any difference. The manual says that when the collector exceeds the temperature of the water in the tank by 10 degrees centigrade, the… Read more

recirculating pump starts and displaces the hot water in the collector, allowing cold water to enter. The pump never runs because the temperature difference is always much lower than 10 degrees, the collector doesn't 'collect'. Next door is an identical unit, both face in the same direction and it s always 20 to 30 degrees centigrade hotter than the dud. Could the scaling you are referring to be the cause, how can I inspect it and what is the remedy, chemical cleaning. Does anyone have other suggestions as to the cause of failure?

Waste of money – Get an apricus if you want cold showers. Waste of money. I’m actually furious. Years of ridiculousness and issues. Anyone interested in a class action??? Nearly everything has broken and I don’t know how many Luke warm and cold showers I’ve had to endure. Ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous ridiculous.  Show details

Very disappointed – I have purchased 5 Apricus hot water systems, and have had nothing but trouble with them. The tubes clogged up within the first two months, even tho the company told me they were suited to our water. We have had to run acid through them to clear the pipes which eventually rotted the tanks...tanks were replaced by the company only for the same thing to happen again. They are now being replaced with Solahart closed circuit systems.  Show details

HWS excellent - service abysmal! – I had my system installed just over 2 years ago because I had used this brand at a previous house and found it excellent. I always had a good supply of hot water since installation, but did not realise that what I thought was the fuse switch in the fuse box, was actually the booster (not labelled as booster and no separate switch as in all… Read more ·  1

previous solar systems). It was only when I turned that switch off when I went away for a few weeks, then when I got home, it was the middle of summer, so expected the water to be hot - not so - barely tepid! I contacted the installer - took an email and three phonecalls before I got any response - and no help at all apparently too far to come and have a look but not too far to take my money for the initial purchase and installation! After over 2 weeks, in desperation, I contacted my local plumber to have a look - he discovered that when installed, the temperature setting had not been changed from the factory setting of 31.4 degrees, so no (or extremely little) input from the solar component as it cut off when the water reached 31.4 degrees, thus needing to be further heated by the booster, even in the middle of summer on a hot day! Not happy at all the electricity I have wasted heating the water in my "solar" HWS. Also not happy that after paying all that money to purchase and install, no-one from the company that installed was willing to have a look to see why it wasn't working properly, even after I explained that I hadn't actually been any evidence of the water being heated by the sun, ever!

Poor quality components with poor quality warranty – Our controller failed after 14 months of use, I rang Apricus and was advised that the controller only has a 1 year warranty period, Apricus refused to assist in any way. Our next door neighbour also has an Apricus Solar System and he said that his controller also failed within the same time frame. I can only assume that the components in the Apricus Solar Hot Water System are of poor quality as the warranty period would reflect.  Show details

Apricus do not stand by their warranty – My advice as a plumber, is do not buy apricus. I installed a system in my home and the tank failed within the 5 year warranty time. Apricus claim the anode should have been replaced within 3 years and used a warranty document written several years after my purchase, despite the warranty document supplied at time of purchase having no such clause… Read more

(fine print). The agent I purchased the unit from approached Apricus on my behalf, with a similar rejection. My plumbing supplies manager approached the Apricus rep 3 months ago on my behalf and is still waiting for a response. My strong advice as a consumer and plumber is do not deal with a company like Apricus who do not honour their warranties. Go anywhere else!

Problem System – Evacuated tubes explode when being fitted into manifold...2 already...not trying anymore...obvious problem with the manifold...apparently not covered by warranty...cost a few thousand to purchase...looks like we have wasted our money. We have an incomplete system on our roof but according to Apricus we are not losing much by not having a complete system...not the point.  Show details

Running Hot – Some time ago consultant Shane King assisted via the phone our plumber to repair our Therman heating unit. Whilst doing this he advised making several adjustments to the settings of the unit. These changes have greatly improved the efficiency of our unit. There is consistent hot water regardless of overcast periods throughout the day .We always thought the unit was excellent but thanks to Shane it is even better. Port Douglas  Show details ·  1

Beware! – Beware of Apricus, on an average they are an ok company just like all the rest. But they have a bad reputation for not honouring their warranties, they will try every trick they can to swindle you out of your claim WHEN something goes wrong with your system. and it will happen. make sure you do your research before signing up with them.  Show details

Customer Service is a waste of time !!!!!!!!! – We purchased an APRICUS Solar Hot Water System exactly 2yrs ago at a cost of over $4000. A few days ago the MANIFOLD on the roof cracked due to the frost but was caused by the CONTROLER failing ! Because the Warranty on the CONTROLER was only 1yr - APRICUS will not cover the cost of replacing EITHER ! It would therefor appear to cost MORE… Read more

to maintain these units than the cost of electricity. We have been quoted a minimum of $1000 and the SAME THING COULD HAPPEN NEXT WINTER !!!!!!! It looks like we purchased a VERY EXPENSIVE HOT WATER UNIT as we will not pay to have the Solar componency repaired. Recommend that you DO NOT INSTALL A SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM as they are more trouble than they are worth. Just ask a Plumber and spread the word !!

Poor Service – I purchased a new townhouse with Thermann hot water system. 13 months after completion, glass panel broke in pipe. On a Saturday morning so I did not expect service on weekend. However, on Monday, given complete run around. Insisted I provide original invoice for purchase and installation despite my not being the purchaser. Eventually the builder… Read more ·  2

became involved and provided paperwork, then Apricus told me they would send an email and put a request in the system to have repair done. This was not an oven not working, this was me (in winter and ill) with no hot water for 3 days. Nothing is urgent to them. Eventually plumber arrived Tuesday afternoon to do repair. Builder advised he had issues with other systems in my complex, mine was not the first.

Trouble getting service initially - but eventually it was good news – Water tank sprung a leak last Monday night (10th April) and rang Apricus next day. Sent all information including proof of purchase and photos of problem to Apricus. Have contacted Apricus a number of times to discuss and the problem has still not been assessed. We have been without regular hot water for over a week. This is the second tank that… Read more

has failed. The first leaked one year after installation.

I must say that after the above post that Apricus did spring into action and arranged to send a new tank and arrange for its installation. On the advice of the excellent recommended plumber (Ereco WA) the tank was switched from stainless steel to glass lined as the source of our tank failures was (evidently) aggressive Perth water that corrodes stainless steel. The new tank is installed and the system works very well.

John

Apricus helped while I was overseas – I was overseas and my solar panel glass tubes were broken. I called Apricus' hotline and the operator put me onto their director straight away. He then connected me to their contract plumber within a few hours and the tubes were replaced straight away, with the roof tidied up as well. All done while I was overseas.  Show details

Not suitable for 1 or 2 occupt household – I have to admit that I can not complain about the hot water that is be generated from my Apricus 30 Manifold Hot Water System, majority of the time water is TOO hot. But I will go on record to say that this type Apricus Hot Water System is not energy saving or efficient. Because I am a household with 1 occupant, I lose appropriately 12litres of… Read more

water a week through the release valve pipe through constant dripping. I have passed on this concern on to the installer and after he changed the release value 3-4 weeks after installation, I was told to take more showers each day, he says it is because I am not using enough of hot water daily.

The installer has not been helpful in solving this problem or taking my concerns seriously and I would not recommend his company or him to anyone. I have given up on reporting this problem to the Installer and he has not come back to me since our last communication back in July 2016.

We are all trying to economise, save money and save energy resources, this system is not doing this. It has the thumbs down from me, I would not recommend this system to anyone.

Extremely disappointed and no customer service – Bought a new townhouse with Apricus solar water heating and am finding it extremely disappointing. We don't have a lot of hot water coming through in the kitchen - I fill up a bucket of cold water before any hot water appears. We now have three leaks in the pipes outside where the tank is which has damped the brick wall. I called Apricus on the… Read more

1300 number to log in an urgent call - am still waiting for a response. This 1300 number is only answered Monday to Friday - there is no other emergency number to call. I have to wait until Monday to see if I have a response and in the meantime water is still leaking down the brick wall. I would not recommend this solar water heating system to anyone.

Lack of support, unsure if it's even working – Since installing in 2013 I have no idea if my Series 2000 is working or not. The installer just installed the Apricus and that's it. I called the installer for support but he refused to help because he was owed money by the Apricus support representative here in Hobart. I paid several thousand dollars for something that can't tell me if I've even had a single cent returned on this investment. My heating/hot water bill is $400 quarter.  Show details