All types of solar thermal system need maintenance, though a well-planned installation using high-quality equipment needs very little compared to most active mechanical systems.

As with most large projects, solar thermal installations follow the rule that "You get what you pay for." If you scrimp on equipment by choosing lower-quality materials, you could save several hundred dollars on the initial installation cost... and end up paying out five times as much in the long term for replacement parts, additional maintenance, and repairs.

Remember: your solar thermal installation will be in place for decades. It is worth paying a little extra to reduce your long-term costs and improve reliability (not to mention peace of mind).

Two-minute monthly maintenance

Every month, especially at the start of its life, you should check over your solar thermal installation. It is unlikely there will be any trouble if you've planned and implemented the work properly, but you need to keep an eye on it.

• Visually check the collectors to make sure they're undamaged, not discolored and not dripping.
• If you use flat-plate collectors , don't worry about condensation – that gets drawn in as the collectors "breathe" and is normal.
• Check for loose pipe insulation around the whole system.
• Look for loose wires hanging down anywhere.
• Check your storage tank – if it is hot after a sunny day, the system works.

And that's it for the general maintenance run. Individual systems will need specific checks depending on the type of system. You will also need to keep an eye on the differential temperature controller, if you use one. Check out the other articles on our site for specific maintenance procedures for your particular system type.