Solahart Streamline Closed Circuit System

Dealer doesn't understand the product. Return on investment $ neg – Had this system installed 10 years ago. Immediately there appeared to be an issue with efficiency, and the glass on the panels appeared like it had build-up of sorts inside. Had the dealer out to inspect the system, but they found nothing wrong, therefore had to pay the call-out out of pocket (no warranty). I was very unhappy about the… Read more

performance, but being stung this way I didn't want to call the dealer out again.

Through my own investigation in the system I found that the water was not circulating through the panels, therefore all my heating was through the gas booster. When I personally removed the circulation pump it was full of debris, therefore it couldn't function. The impeller vanes are very easily damaged, but I managed to clean the impeller and the housing that stays behind when you withdraw the pump. With the circulation pump now working for the first time, the system was working reasonably well for four years (say 4 star).

Three years ago the pump stopped working again. I withdrew it and cleaned the build-up of scale. Unfortunately the internal aluminium housing had sprung a leak. Priced a new Salmson pump from Solahart, which was around $350 from the dealer. Purchased a new one on eBay for $185, and installed this myself. Has been going okay over the last few years, however I still feel that the panels have been damaged earlier when there was no water circulating through them.

In all, had I relied on the dealer I would have been severely out of pocket with this system. Now I am perhaps level pegging, although if I take into account that the panels should be replaced I would be out of pocket again.

Don't waste your money - find another company – Had one of these systems installed about 7 years ago. This system has cost me more than it ever saved - expensive to begin with but MAJOR extra dollars in electricity and water. A couple of years ago the pump went only discovered when I received a $1600 electricity bill for a quarter. When the electrician I hired to come and work out the issue… Read more

said it's your hot water and turned it off and wow cold water! Noticed a few weeks ago that it was leaking water and got the technician out $140 to be told have to replace the tank or the whole system so now losing $$$$ in water. Checked my electricity the other day and noted my usage is double what it was a couple of months ago (got into the habit of checking it regularly after first disaster) and was checking weekly but due to illness and death in the family haven't checked in a couple of months. Turned the booster off today and guess what? No hot water tonight and it was a sunny day. Obviously the pump has gone again so another HUGE electricity bill coming along with a HUGE water bill. So $4500 for the system, $2000 excess electricity, $500 new pump, $1000 excess water - not something I can afford as a working single mum! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY WITH THEM.

Solar Hot water system supply/install by Solahart was a total disaster both product and service! – In Feb 2015 we engaged Solahart franchise in Canberra/Fyshwick to supply/install Solar Ark VE 315 litre and 30 tube for our new built house. Their service (especially the manners of the woman behind the phone as a point of contact with public) was very poor and full of negative attitude. We badly regret that we chose to go with this Solahart and… Read more

we blame ourselves for being naïve and in rush to accept their quote (and actually we by mistake took their name wrongly instead of other good companies with similar names and better reputation, that was unfortunate).

The terrible fact is despite our numerous calls to them to come back and make the system work under product warranty, they respond is that : we need to make sure our system defect is actually due to the Hot water unit, and if they send a technician they would charge extra"!!! what sort of question is that? we have only one hot water system installed at the house and that is installed by THEM!

And even worse than this is that after they have been paid in full for their faulty system, they still keep sending a made up invoice (which is illegal and has no basis) by email. This made up invoices are being sent under their associated business name called "Australian Heating & Cooling with this email address: [message-service@post.xero.com].

We have numerously replied and ask them to stop sending the illegal invoices and to stop harassing us, but they ruthlessly keep changing and doubling the figure claimed on their illegal invoice. I am really fed up with this and wish someone could get this business cancelled so to stop them harassing the community.

I hope you do not get yourself in their haunting NET :-)

Solar Hart Streamline – We have had our Streamline closed circuit system for almost 5 years. Is in the garage with the panels directly above it. For winters, we have a timer on the the electric boost so it kicks in for one hour in the morning to insure we have hot water for showers. We shopped around and found SH gave best value for money. Capacity, hot water lasts for… Read more

days. Low profile on roof. A bit of hum from the circulation pump but only noticed when we are in the garage.

Get gas not solar or a better brand – I bought a 272SLV system ... what a hunk of junk. Before system was installed, i had an old STLE Rheem system, but wanting to take advantage of the govement rebate i offloaded my Rheem to go solar. What a mistake! ! Im all for anything that helps the enviroment or saves me money, providing it works ! First off all, 2 weeks after the system was… Read more

installed, the water was luke warm on solar cycle .... Rang Solar Hart for them to tell me the temperature guage is different, and is set lower to prevent scalding and that I need to get used to system.

Giving them a chance, and the amount of overcast days, I agreed. I had to work away from home for 3 weeks to come back and find that ants had decided to make it their new home due to poorly sealed containment, eating away at the foam inside and dumping it outside!!. Also, I left it in solar mode via the on/off switch that was wired in and being a single person, no water was being used while I was away. I found water to be cold upon turning hot water on. After an inspection of the system I found a red light on, and flashing. Rang and spoke to Solar Hart with promises of a plumber arriving every day.

A week and a half later, constant phone calling and empty promises, they arrived to replace the pump and all within 5 weeks of this brand new system being installed!! After fixing, all went reasonbly well.... "well" meaning, having a luke warm shower when it was overcast and thermostat set at highest tempreture for a luke warm shower. Just before system ran out of warrany the heater element died (being a 12 month warranty) now only a year and a half later, the system still plays up causing a nightmare... Never again will I choose nor recommend Solar Hart !! Saved money by system not working properly. the top of the tank has been useful to store things on top off Not reliable. water never hot enough. braking down twice within warranty and solar hart slack on servive

Complete Rubbish – Water Pump and a panel went within 18 months. The pump wasnt covered under warranty. $400 to replace. The Technician said it was a common fault as there was a design flaw that meant it clogs up. We're on scheme yet they claimed the water was to hard much to the Water Corp's ammusement. The Water Corp claimed that all their water is within ISO… Read more

standards. Because the pump had stopped flowing and we didnt know, it then caused the panel to rupture and leak during frost. Solahart agreed to replace the Panel under warranty but wanted $500 for installation. I wasnt prepared to spend that sort of money when there's no guarantee it won't happen again. So now we have a $3500 electric storage system. What's more the WA state and federal governments also contributed about $1500 to this white elephant under the "solar rebate scheme". Never will I get a solahart product again as they are complete rubbish.

Good So Far – Have 340l Tank split system. Installation no problem, service no problem. Have only had for 2 weeks with family of four and Hot water all the time but it is December.. Winter months will be the test. J Tarrif read has stopped dead in its tracks. Again test will be in winter when we have to boost.

Four pump units in four years – This is the forth SHW system that I have bought and installed on differen houses. Previously I had stuck to the thermosyphon system but this time I went for the split system to place the tank adjacent to the bathroom, laundry and kitchen at the back of the house. After about a year the red light started flashing on the pump unit and it was… Read more

apparent that the pump was not working. It was replaced under warranty. Another 12 months and another pump - again under warranty. Third pump lasted a little longer but this one I paid for as I was overseas and had the property leased through a property manager. Now I am back and guess what - the red light is on again and it aint pumping! Looks good and works when the pump works. The pump.

Disgraceful ant problem – Unit is 340 SLV stir clear of this unit or ask if the thermostat problem has been fixed. Ants nest in this badly designed area of the unit, shorting it out rendering it useless. It has happened twice in a 12 month period first time was fixed under warranty, second time 170 dollars to fix. Their answer to it is to spray insect repellant around the… Read more

shoddy cover. With all the rain we have had this year thats alot of spray. Best solution I have come up with is to put plastic ant baits inside and replace every so often. 4500 dollars for an ant attractor, one of the worst things I've every bought. I also echo the comments about its winter performance, if you have natural gas in your street go with that. Nothing its badly designed, its just a shame you find out after the purchase Plenty read the review

OK – We built a double story home three years ago, and decided to install a Solahart "Streamline" Solar Hot Water System. We had the "common" Solahart system before (tank and collectors together), and this has given us fantastic service for over 10 years until we moved. Even on a sunny winter's day we would have a reasonable amount of warm water for… Read more

the four of us (with care). Imagine our disappointment when we started using this system! We first thought that there had been a fault with the installation, but upon inspection by the dealer, no fault could be found. We are a family of four living near Perth. Each of us have two x three minute showers per day (using flow restrictors). We also wash dishes twice per day. We wash clothes with cold water. On days over 30 deg. C we can make do. If below thirty we need to use the gas booster. When you consider buying this system, also calculate the power consumption of the electric pump and control system. You will be told that this is minimal, however it all adds up to your bill for "Free" hot water from te sun. Our system has now been installed for just over three years. Streamlined look and the remote station Very disappointing efficiency. At this rate will never pay for itself. Collectors (the panels) failed after three years.

Good – We got a few quotes to replace our 25 year old hws that was leaking and too small. I done a bit of research and heard a few horror stories about heat pumps and solar seemed a bit more reliable. Had to get solar panels moved during installation was no problem and was done without complaint and a small drip from panels a few weeks after installation… Read more

was rectified quickly, no problems after about a year.We got a quote to replace with an electric hot water cylinder and for $200 more, after rebates we got a solar put in. In Brisbane even on a cloudy day the ambient temperature sometimes gets the water circulating. All i can say is do your research and get a few quotes make sure you are informed. First power bill after installation was half of last years at the same time.

Good service during installation from solahart. Pipework around the hot water cylinder looks a bit clumbsy and pipes in roof run right over manhole in the roof, but maybe im just being a bit fussy.

Bad – The system works very well during the summer months where we do not need to boost with our offpeak 1 electricity - fully heated by the sun. Having previously used offpeak electric heater, our bill is reduced by $30 per quarter, thats $120 per year if we never needed to boost. Now here is the catch, during winter, we are regularily needing to… Read more

boost with electricity as the winter sun will not heat the water. Now that we have turned the offpeak off because when we need hot water, we need it instant. No good having to turn the offpeak booster on and then having to wait until 2am for it to start heating - pointless. With us having to use peak electricity during the winter at least twice a week (for a family of 3), the $30 saving per quater is evaporated and I suspect that over the full year, our power bill will be increased thanks to the Solarhart. Be VERY WARY of what the Sales Rep spin and do your sums first up. If wanting to go solar, better to stick to offpeak hot water and invest the money in a solar grid feed system on the roof. If anyone wants further feedback, email me at bluemtns@aapt.net.au Looks of the system & uses the sun in summer The inefficiency of the system in the cooler months makes it pretty much worthless.

Good – Our unit is a 272SLV (electric boost). The tank does not have the "traditional" Solahart quality, eg it's only single glazed not double and the reduced warranty possibly reflects that. Had a couple of glitches with the installation (not faults in the product itself) which were promptly dealt with so sales and installation has been very good. … Read more ·  1

Fingers crossed it will prove reliable as I don't relish the thought of dealing with Rheem service.

Seems to work well, we are getting solar heating even on cloudy days. Looks good, works as advertised so far, plenty of hot water, having the tank on the ground gave us more flexibility in positioning the collectors to avoid overshadowing (compared to roof-mounted tank). Solahart dealer was excellent. Only been in 3 weeks so can't assess any savings.

I have since discovered this is a Rheem Solar Loline unit with Solahart badges on it. The Loline is reviewed elsewhere and gets pretty poor ratings. At least our collectors are Solahart L series with brass connections.

The owners manual mentions optional timer/booster switches but these were never offered by the sales guys so we just have the on/off switch in the fusebox.