The Atmos Ephesus is a self contained evacuated tube solar thermal system which can be placed on a flat roof or ground mounted, or on a special platform. The evacuated tubes collect the solar energy, and transfer it into the 150 litre hot water tank by means of the heat pipe principle. The tubes are like long thermos flasks, which collect solar heat and retain it, transferring the heat into the cold water tank to generate hot water.

All in one system: Atmos Ephesus is an outdoor solar thermal system, there is no need for separate panels on the roof, and no need for a new tank in the building taking up unnecessary space. It all sits outside, and simply requires the cold water to be taken to the tank, and a return hot water pipe to your existing hot water appliance (Combi boiler or hot water cylinder).

Fully automated energy saving: The Atmos Ephesus is highly efficient,  and in warmer months when the solar heated water is above 50 deg C, the diverter valve by-passes the combi boiler or hot water tank and sends the hot water straight to the taps, so your boiler does not have to come on. For your protection a thermostatic mixer valve, adjustable to your preferred setting, makes sure that the hot water is delivered at a safe temperature.

Maintenance is simple: Most solar thermal systems use a heat transfer circuit between the collector and the tank. This requires a pump and a pipe circuit containing anti-freeze (glycol), a rather nasty smelling liquid as used in your car radiator. The Ephesus heats the water directly, so it has no glycol, no electric pump for circulation using expensive electrical energy, and needs very little looking after. The tubes like an occasional clean to keep them efficient and a wipe with a clean cloth is all it takes to keep them happy. The tank has a built in anode to protect against corrosion, which needs to be changed every 5 years.

Safe and clean: Water stored below 55°C requires protection from the risk of Legionella. The Atmos Ephesus system automatically self maintains to protect again this. A timer is provided so that at preset intervals the pump comes on and raises the tank to 60 degrees C, and any legionella bugs that may be hanging around are annihilated. In the summer months, the tank will frequently be above 60 degrees, so the thermostat conserves energy and will not turn the pump on unnecessarily.

Perfectly suited to cold UK temperatures: The Atmos Ephesus has no water in the tubes so they won’t freeze, and the tank is so well insulated that the heat loss is very small. To ensure the connecting pipework is protected a thermostat on the pipework keeps an eye on the weather, and if the temperature of the insulated connecting pipes drop below 5°C, a 12 volt dc pump automatically operates briefly to send warm water through the pipes and keeps them from freezing, and also to protect the tank from freezing.

What about overheating?: In the UK overheating is rarely a problem, but if no hot water is used in the summer for several days and there is a lot of sunshine, temperature can rise into the 90’s. The Ephesus 24 is provided with a pressure and temperature relief valve, so that should the tank temperature go above 90 deg it will release some of the hot water into the safety discharge pipe thus introducing cold water to cool the system down.