How The Apricus Evacuated Tube Collector Works

Evacuated tubes work in all seasons as they can be positioned more favorably towards the sun. This means when you want higher temperatures or performance in cooler weather, evacuated tubes have a huge advantage over other flat plate collectors, but how does it work?

Watch these videos below for a full explanation of how the Apricus Evacuated Tube Collector Works

Three Steps To Apricus Evacuated Tube Collector

Here are the simple steps as to how the evacuated tube collector works from sunlight to hot water

The Apricus Evacuated Tube Collector

These images show the simplicity and high efficiency of the Apricus collectors. To understand in more detail, watch the ‘Solar Hot Water’ explained video

Capturing Sunlight

The sunlight (including UV) strikes the dark absorber coating inside the evacuated tube, the vacuum seal between the two layers of glass act like an insulator and prevent the heat energy that has been captured from escaping back into the atmosphere.

Heat Transfer

The heat pipe, located inside the evacuated tube carries a small amount of purified water, and is also evacuated, which means the liquid boils at a very low temperature (~30°C) turns to vapour and rises to the top of the heat pipe to the “bulb” which plugs in to the Apricus manifold.

Pumping Water

The Apricus pump station moves water from the storage tank through the copper heat exchange located within the manifold. At this point, there is no water running through the tubes, the heat pipe bulb is simply transferring the heat retained inside the tube into the cooler water running through the manifold.

As this process happens, the vapour inside the heat pipe condenses and turns back into liquid returning to the bottom of the heat pipe… and the process begins again!

The Apricus Solar Hot Water Evacuated Tube System Advantage

Here are some of the features and advantages of using the Apricus evacuated tube system for your solar hot water at a glance.

Passive Sun Tracking

The round tube design of the Apricus collectors passively tracks the sun to provide more solar collection, for more hours of the day!

Cyclone Rated

Our mounting frames were designed right here in Australia, and are rated to withstand cyclonic winds.

Cold Weather Performance

The Apricus evacuated tubes have superior performance in cold climates and during the cold months of the year when you need it the most.

Frost Protected

All Apricus solar hot water systems have built in frost protection (-15°C) without glycol, meaning less maintenance.

15 Year Warranty

We stand by our products, that’s why we provide a 15 year collector warranty and 10 year warranty on solar hot water tanks

Plumber Preferred

Plumbers that install solar hot water systems trust and prefer Apricus. Our systems are easy to install and the known superior performance means their customers are happy too.

Light-weight, Durable Design

A 30 tube collector weighs approximately 110kg spread over a 2.2m x 2.0m roof space so there is no inconvenience using cranes to install. Reinforcing the roof structure is not necessary compared to other solar hot water systems that can weigh up to 500kg on a roof

National Support Network

Our products are available through 1,500 resellers across Australia so you’re guaranteed to have local, dedicated support.

Australian Owned & Operated

Apricus is a completely Australian owned and operated, and all systems are designed specifically for the tough Aussie conditions.

What Our Customers Say…

Apricus solar systems are brilliant. Solar hot water is to be installed correctly by correct solar accredited plumbers . I have a system 7 years old and only turn my booster on after 2 days of cloud. My family use approximately 200ltr of hot water daily.

Silvo

The reason our company choose Apricus is that we KNOW they are the most reliable system on the market – bar none! We have had plenty of years installing all the major brand names in Solar and though some of them are not bad they just do not compare with the performance and reliability standards that set Apricus apart!

Professional opinion on the Apricus range of Hot Water Systems

Great Service! Our unit is 6 years old. Rang Apricus because we had no hot water. They had it fixed on the same day. Great response and service. Even talked me through how to read controller and check pump.
Thank you Apricus.

Clarrie Hastings

Ros was very helpful with a recent warranty claim. My system is 5 years all heat tubes were replaced after speaking with Ros and a couple of emails. Great service

Lachy

After 15 years of service it was time for a new pump. Ros was very helpful and found a replacement quickly after speaking to the technical team. It arrived the next day is is back up and running.

Oliver S

Very courteous and helpful. Couldn’t do enough for us. They fixed the problem straight away with no hassles. I would recommend this system. We now have very hot water. Thank you

Jan A

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

Martha

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..

Barbara L

Had an issue with the Grunfos pump and Apricus (Ros) responded immediately to our query – very helpful and provided non stop courteous assistance in getting the system back up and running – and kept on with after care to ensure it was all operating well.A credit to the company.

Stuart D