Like with any industry there are many bad apples and some very good ones also. Research is the name of the game!!

FAFCO Tampa installed our system in the summer of 2006, not a builder or reseller, but FAFCO themselves. It worked fine until we had cold weather. The panel burst in several places because the freeze protection had failed.

FAFCO Tampa's first response was 'yeah, we've had a lot of that, buy another panel' and there was no absolutely no intention of honoring the '10 worry free warranty'. I had a nightmare dealing with them over the issue. The local manager eventually stepped up and got things moving, but only after I been communicating with head office in CA. Calling the Tampa office generally meant having to leave unreturned voicemails and messages with staff. It was extremely annoying and frustrating. Whereas the CA people was very courteous and prompt.

A year later, despite preventative measures of draining the system before we were hit with the cold spell, and leaving it drained for weeks until things warmed up, I discovered it had burst again as soon as I opened the valves. Being extremely conscious of outside temperatures and not trusting the FAFCO system, I now manually empty the system to ensure there is no water in it to freeze. But even that isn't enough for this ghastly FAFCO solar hot water system.

FAFCO charged $119 just to come out and look at it this time, they cut out a burst pipe outside of the panel, and welded in a replacement section. So at least the big costly panel wasn't going to be an issue. Final cost $259.95, material charge $5. Some of this massive cost was re-gluing a plastic pipe in our pool solar system that had an extremely small dripping issue. Guess who installed that system? Correct, FAFCO!

So what do I find today when I reactivate the hot water panel, which has been drained for the last few weeks? Yup, it has burst again! Not only that, it's the same bit of pipework that was replaced earlier in the year.

Many people have asked about our hot water solar system, but not one has turned into a FAFCO customer. Maybe it has something to do with once they hear about the issues you have to deal with should there be a problem?

Clearly what they installed has design and possibly installation issues. If a pipe cannot drain and ends up bursting time and time again, there's obviously something wrong with it.

When you spend $5000 on something, you don't expect it to fail every time it gets cold and have to deal with costly repairs on a "10 year worry free warranty", particularly so when you go out of your way to prevent them. Whatever you save in electricity costs is clearly outweighed by repairing the darn thing, let alone the grief of having to deal with this company.

Before buying a solar hot water system, ignore the spiel about how well they work and what you might save on your power bill, that's a given when they work. Ask about failure rates, how they're handled, hidden fees for repairs etc. And most importantly, have them supply references of customers who have had the system installed for at least 3 winters!

I'll post a follow up, if and when the Tampa office return my call about their hot water system failing yet again. Let's hope it's good news!

Final note: Tampa FAFCO are part of Duramade Windows in this area now, maybe beyond.

My problem is actually with the Fafco Revolution Pool Heater. When I bought my house, the Fafco system was 3 years old. I detected leaks recently in the system. Because I am not the original owner, the warranty is not in effect. The Fafco service tech told me that I need at least 3 out of 5 panels replaced(I agrees and will likely replace all 5 panels). However, my subsequent inspection of the panels show that they had leaked within the first 3 years of service and had been plugged to seal the leaks.

I was able to inspect a cross sectioned Revolution panel(from another dealer) and discovered that the dimples in the panel design may cause premature failure due to the process for dimpling the panels. I have relayed this information to Fafco and have not received a response.

I'm still trying to decide which solar pool heater to install. Has anyone else had problems with the Fafco Revolution panels?

Does anybody know how to change the screen (filter) in the heat exchange module ?

FAFCO should honor their 10 full warranty! the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU needs to know about their business practices and so does the State consumers affairs!

What frustrates the heck out of me The system has not worked in 3 years. Can’t get a hold of anyone. There is so manual no instructions on how to flush the tank, change the filters or move the tank if you need to. Go figure. Every other company has that information available right open out there even videos not this fly by night company. So I’m going to find them on social media and go after them. I’m tired of this crap. Paying thousands of dollars no info no support no guidance on how to comply with Maintance on your system so your forced to call a tech which good luck with that besides paying out the you know what

Look into Buderus..headache free,top of the line, advanced tech,..at least for me, payjng a little extra is worth the disappearance of anxiety, and even gaining peace and joy back in the little things. Im not aware of fafco prices but it never pays to "save" money. Just ask ridgid tool owners...yea lifetime warranty,but how many more trips to the depot and did your spending aggrandize by entering more often--many more, and definitely. So total savings for buying the cheaper tool with the lifetime warranty=penny wise pound foolish