Is there a smart controller for a solar hot water electric booster?

Question

I've just had a solar HWS installed with a manual electric boost switch. I know you can get timer switches, but I'm looking for a "smart" switch.

I've had it for a month without having to boost at all. A timer would have been wasting power.

If there is such an animal as a "smart" controller, it would be a combination of timer and weather station.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

We learned a while back that using a separate small tank on the output line, or preferably a tankless heater, that is left off most of the time will give the best results

One definitely does not want to have an element in the bottom of the tank used for solar heat accumulation. It forces you to heat the whole tank to get warm water when what you really want is to heat only the amount you need to heat right now, and only when the top of the tank cools down enough to need that.

The tankless heater can be set to heat only when the  output water is below say 38C so that it is comfortable to bathe in, with a quick re-setting of the thermostat when you want to. It tries really hard to make maximum use of the solar heat.

Answer 2

My system has it built in.  When it isn't sunny enough to heat, the electric comes on in time for the daily use.  The "smart" isn't in the controller, it is in the use of a standard timer from your local hardware store, and the the element in the tank...