Low-Pressure Solar Hot Water

A complete range of good quality solar hot water services, produced in Australia, and available at good prices

These hot water services are available as mains pressure split systems (gas or electric boosted), or low pressure ceiling- or floor-mounted models.

They can be supplied with one, two or three solar collectors to suit your usage.

constant pressure plumbing layout

Constant Pressure Solar Hot Water System

Save a minimum 65% of your hot water costs, even in the colder southern regions of Australia.

In the warmer northern regions, Solar-Mio gives you free solar hot water virtually every day of the year.
Solar-Mio is super efficient. The unique Black Nickel absorption surface was developed by the C.S.I.R.O. to maximise panels sunlight absorption.

Over twenty years continuous research and development have gone into today’s SolarMio system. Our Solar Gold storage tank is fully insulated to retain heat longer. Solar-Mio panels have anti-glare prismatic glazing that is cushion-mounted to avoid breakage.
Frost Protection Systems protect panels from the force of freeze build-up during cold southern. Winters. Pipes are made from copper, which will outlast other materials.

The storage tank features a feed tank, safety tray, low profile solar connections, stove connections and an electric booster element.

IDEAL WITH SOLID FUEL STOVES AND HEATERS

Solar-Mio offer one of the largest range of standard (s), constant pressure (C) and medium pressure (MP) long life copper hot water services. All cylinders are constructed from high quality long-lasting copper, which can last over 50 years.

STANDARD HOT WATER SERVICES

Standard tanks (S) are fitted with a 12-litre header tank, 3.6kw element, anode and safety tray, and are the original in roof tank. The lower operating pressures make these systems an ideal choice where water saving is important.

Standard in-roof low pressure copper tank

Tank showing hot (1), stove (2), and solar (3) connections
Solar-Mio supply tanks to suit domestic, commercial, industrial, and hydronic central heating.

These tanks are supplied complete with 3.6kw electric element, 12-litre header tank, stove connections, anode, and a safety tray for all roof models.

MODEL	LITRES	HEIGHT	DIAM	TANK PRICE June 2023
S250	250	760	865	$2658
S315	315	865	865	$2826
S400	400	915	865	$2993
S400500	400-500	1050	865	$3209
Add solar panel connections				$230
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

CONSTANT PRESSURE HOT WATER SERVICES

Constant pressure tanks (C) are fitted with a large 45-litre header tank and 3.6kw element, anode, and safety tray. This allows both the hot and cold water delivery to the shower to come from the hot water service with the benefit that showers are not affected by other cold taps being turned on or toilets being flushed, ensuring showers are a pleasurable experience. This simple but clever design also allows for easy installation of a child-safe tempering valve, saving on installation cost.

Wood stove connected constant pressure tank

MODEL	LITRES	HEIGHT	DIAM	TANK PRICE June 2023
CC250	250	760	865	$2916
CC315	315	865	865	$3075
CC400	400	915	865	$3230
CC400500	400-500	1050	865	$3456
Add solar panel connections				$220
Add wood stove connections				$220
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

MAINS PRESSURE (MP) COIL TANKS

Mains Pressure Tanks have many applications and are ideal for installations in homes where existing pipes require increased pressure to provide good water flow.

They are the best choice if flick-mixer taps and water-saver showerheads are installed, and are extensively used in hydronic central heating installations.

Ceiling tank with mains pressure coil

These tanks come complete with solar and stove connections, 36-metre mains pressure coil, 12-litre header tank, 3.6kw element, anode and safety tray.

MODEL	LITRES	HEIGHT	DIAM	WEIGHT	TANK PRICE June 2023
MP250	250	760	865	40kg	$4588
MP315	315	865	865	45kg	$4837
MP400	400	915	865	55kg	$5085
MP400/500	400/500	1050	865	60kg	$5450
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

MEDIUM PRESSURE STORAGE TANKS “F.M.” (FLOOR MODELS)

Floor- or platform-mounted hot water storage tanks

“F.M.” medium pressure storage tanks are often referred to as “Floor Models” as they are most commonly installed below ceiling height in a cupboard, or on a tank stand under a verandah or similar location. The cold water entering the tank may be from a water starage tank or header tank. A pressure reduction valve may also be employed. These tanks are installed with a vent pipe to a maximum head height of 7 metres above the tank.

MODEL	LITRES	HEIGHT	DIAM	TANK PRICE June 2023
FM3 TALL	125	1016	610	$2480
FM3 SQUAT	125	760	680	$2300
FM4 TALL	160	1140	610	$2436
FM4 SQUAT	160	890	680	$2566
FM5 TALL	200	1370	610	$2520
FM5 SQUAT	200	1016	680	$2652
FM6 TALL	250	1500	610	$2611
FM6 SQUAT	250	1120	680	$2741
FM7 TALL	315	1675	610	$2784
FM7 SQUAT	315	1320	680	$2826
FM8 TALL	400	1830	610	$2781
FM8 SQUAT	400	1450	680	$2914
Stove 19mm connections, add				$220
Solar 19mm connections, add				$220
Electric element, add				$230
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

Solar and stove connections, booster elements, central heating, spa and pool heating, and many other options are available to allow you to customize your hot water service to suit your individual needs. Electric boost may be replaced with a gas option.

Solar-Mio specialises in solid fuel connections which can be installed in new or existing homes. Wood heaters and cookers fitted with water jackets are commonly used to boost Solar-Mio solar hot water systems, conserving water as well as money. Using gravity to create pressure, this model reduces water consumption up to 30% over a mains-pressure system.

FROST-TEC FROST-PROOF SYSTEMS

Frost-tec frost proof solar heater system

Lower fixed coils provide the ideal means to frost proof a solar hot water system in areas subject to severe frosts. This is achieved by adding Solar-Mio “Frost-Tec” solar antifreeze solution within a sealed heat exchange loop. An external heat exchanger can be employed with existing tanks as shown above. “Frost-Tec” solar systems can be installed as a natural Thermosiphoning system (as shown) if the house design allows or as an automatic pump and controller system. Both options provide excellent hot water delivery without the worry of frost damage.R

“Drain-down” Solar Hot Water Systems

Ideal for high frost and larger solar central heating systems

Unlike most solar systems, the down-drain system only has water in the solar collectors when they are heating. In a down-drain solar hot water system, a solar controller senses heat from the sun and turns on a small pump which circulates water into the solar collectors to be heated and returned to the storage tank.

When the tank is hot the pump turns off allowing special valves to activate allowing the water in the solar collectors to drain back into the storage tank, This eliminates freezing & boiling problems, and prevents water and heat loss which occur in many systems, as there is no water in the collectors to boil or freeze.

Solar-Mio collectors are perfectly suited and have been tested to operate in down-drain configuration. The storage tanks on larger systems may require a 22 or 45 litre header tank to accommodate the down-drain water.

Solar-boosted Hydronic central heating / Solar Hot Water system

WALL RADIATOR HEATING

Schematic showing radiators also running from a manifold along with a domestic hot water tank.

With the ever increasing cost of electricity and gas, combined with the stricter building codes and energy savings now required by governments, solar powered heating in the home and work place is now a popular and realistic alternative.

The proven technology and reliability of flat plate solar collectors is the most cost effective, reliable, long lasting and easy to install solar central heating on the market – and simple to operate – it controls itself.

What could be better than free heat from the sun.

IN-FLOOR SLAB HEATING

Schematic showing in-floor coils for heated manifold along with header tank/vent pipe installation.

Hot water powered hydronic central heating, whether it be via in-floor coils or stylish radiator panels is the most wonderful, silent draught free winter warmth available.

Heat is traditionally provided from environmentally sustainable solar or wood fired energy or from natural or LPG gas. Developments in electric heat pumps combined with solar may also be a viable adjunct in some circumstances.

Centra-coil tanks are roof-mounted low pressure tanks for hydronic heating, with solar and stove connections, a 4 litre header tank, and 18 metre copper coil fixed inside the lower part of the tank.

Solar-boosted solid fuel slow-combustion boilers & cookers

In today’s world of potential energy shortages and greenhouse emissions from fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, modem wood stoves & boilers provide a natural heat source that is renewable & greenhouse neutral.

Unlike most water storage systems, all Solar-Mio/Thermalux hot water tanks can be slow combustion compatible.

Solar-Mio specializes in solid fuel connections which can be installed in new or existing homes.

Wood heaters and cookers fitted with water jackets are commonly used to boost Solar-Mio solar hot water systems.

Conserve water as well as money.

Using gravity to create pressure, this model reduces water consumption up to 30% over a mains pressure system.

wood fired boilers for central heating

Heat Exchangers and Header Tanks

header tanks for stove connections and low pressure water tanks

STANDARD & CUSTOM BUILT HEADER TANKSManufactured from long-life copper, and also available in stainless steel, they are available in a range of sizes.

Heat Exchanger & top-up tank Prices – June 2023
Tedson bare copper heat exchanger coil (for in-roof connections only)	$850
Solar Mio 830mm compact high output heat exchanger (for pumped systems)	$1115
Header Tank 4L (copper) With Ball Valve	$275
Header Tank 12L (copper) With Ball Valve	$385
Header Tank 12L (copper) With Ball Valve, Swing Check Valve & Tray	$570
Header Tank 45L (copper) With Ball Valve	$576
Header Tank 45L (copper) With Ball Valve, Swing Check Valve & Tray	$785
5-litre Ultimo Stainless steel top-up tank & ball valve	$667
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

Solar system spare parts, valves and fittings

Spare Parts Prices June 2023
Swing Check Valve 3/4″	$47
5-way fitting	$242
Anti-recirculation valve	$242
Full-flow pressure reduction valve	$290
Frost protection valve (each)	$240
Non-return valve	$46
Pressure relief valve 600kPa	$142
Pressure relief valve 850kPa	$142
Temperature and pressure relief valve 700kPa	$172
Solar Air Eliminator	$242
Prices are ex-factory, and freight charges apply

Low Pressure Solar Hot Water