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- Daniel Salomon
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
In this article, I want to highlight the keys to choosing the best tank you can find on the Chilean market. First and foremost, you should know that the most delicate part of the solar system is the tank, as it is the most expensive element of the system, and replacing it is expensive and complex, as labor and lifting costs must be considered. To avoid these costs, you must consider the quality of the equipment and ensure that it is maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What damages a tank? 1. Corrosion: Corrosion causes tanks to oxidize. When they become severely oxidized, they leak, and at this point, there's nothing else that can be done. Galvanic current is responsible for oxidizing tanks; this is the corrosion that occurs when two different metals and a transport medium for electricity are present. This brings us to the next point: the quality of the transport medium (the water).
2. Water quality (hardness): The harder the water, that is, the more calcium and other minerals it has, the more galvanic currents there will be inside the tank, and therefore, the tank's useful life will be shortened.
English: note: the key to avoiding corrosion is to have a sacrificial metal that can be replaced, these elements are called sacrificial anodes, these will "rust" before the tank, and since they are replaceable, they should be changed from time to time and your tank will be like new .
3. Water pressure: Water pressure also affects the lifespan of the tank, the higher the pressure, the shorter its lifespan. The more pressure the tank can withstand, the longer its lifespan will be, since it implicitly means that the tank is made of thicker steels.
4. Temperature: The higher the temperature, the greater the galvanic currents, and the greater the wear on the sacrificial anode. High temperatures not only damage the tank, but all its components. Because of this, it is important not to oversize solar systems.
The internal treatment of the tank is the key.
There are different types of interior treatments for tanks, from hot-dip galvanized tanks made in Chile, epoxy paint, stainless steel, and various types of hot-dip enamel, which are by far the best interior treatments for tanks. Below are some characteristics of the coating types:
1. Enameled or Vitrified Steel: This is the best alternative available in Chile. Although there are no domestic manufacturers of these tanks, these tanks are treated internally with a material that, when heated to 860 degrees Celsius, vitrifies. The inside of the tank becomes like a large glass bottle, thus preventing corrosion of the steel tank. The better the coating, the longer the tank's lifespan.
Note: Not all vitrified coatings are created equal. Vitrified tanks last an average of 20 to 25 years; the thicker the coating, the less maintenance the tank will require. Termic tanks have a very good thickness, which means they require very little periodic maintenance.
2. Stainless Steel: We do not recommend installing stainless steel water heaters, as chlorine creates micropores in 304 stainless steel, and the tank's lifespan typically lasts between 3 and 5 years, regardless of maintenance. We do recommend stainless steel water heaters made from 316L steel, but unfortunately, water heaters made from 316L are very expensive, as is the case with copper water heaters. It is also important to always consider that the tanks must withstand pressures of at least 10 bars.
3. Galvanized Steel: This is a good option for people who want to have tanks with a useful life of 5 to 8 years without maintenance during that time, but the useful life is not comparable to a vitrified steel tank with proper maintenance. Galvanized steel is composed mainly of nickel, and nickel is similar to a sacrificial anode used in vitrified ponds (the anodes that are replaced when they corrode), but with the problem that once the nickel in a galvanized tank is consumed, there is no way to protect them from corrosion, and they end up rusting.
Due to the poor water quality in Chile, galvanized tanks are a good option, as they require zero maintenance over their useful life, but unfortunately, in practice, they only last approximately 7 years.
4. Glazing: By far the least recommended type of internal protection available on the market. A tank's lifespan is relatively short, and maintenance costs are high, as tanks must be painted regularly. In addition, the water tastes like chemicals.
In short, tank quality is measured by looking at key features such as the tank's maximum pressure, internal treatment (long lifespan), external treatment (anti-rust), ability to withstand operating pressures, and low maintenance requirements.
Termic equipment meets the most demanding requirements for maximum lifespan and very low maintenance. We recommend using the built-in heaters in the 120ABL182 and 150ABL237 kits.