The most common issues include heat exchanger leaks (the #1 catastrophic failure in closed circuit glycol systems, often failing 2-3 times), circulation pump failures after 2-4 years with impellers stuck from sealant flakes or calcium buildup, Resol controller malfunctions from moisture or component failure, temperature sensor errors causing pump to run at night or not at all, non-return valve failures allowing reverse thermosiphoning, sealant blockages requiring extensive system flushing, tank leaks (especially stainless steel models failing after 4-5 years), excessive pressure relief valve discharge, electric element corrosion (some failing within 4 months), tempering valve screen blockages, glycol degradation in closed systems, and solar panel cracks from wrong installation. Conergy has a poor reputation for reliability - these systems were cheaply made and problematic from day one. Many owners report the system only lasting 7 years before requiring complete replacement.

No, Conergy is NOT in business. The original German company filed for insolvency in Hamburg in 2013. The Australian solar hot water division was sold and became Envirosun, but they don't honor Conergy warranties or provide support. Conergy Pty Ltd went into liquidation and there is NO manufacturer warranty coverage, NO official service support, and NO spare parts from Conergy. This leaves thousands of Brisbane homeowners with orphaned systems and no recourse when things break. The warranties are worthless because there's no company to enforce them against. This is why many Conergy owners feel "CONned" - they paid for a premium German product with warranty, but got a problematic system with zero support when it inevitably fails. Todd's Plumbing is one of the few companies that still knows how to repair these systems using compatible aftermarket parts.

Yes! Todd's Plumbing can repair most Conergy systems using compatible replacement parts. We stock Resol DeltaSol controllers (the current SLL model replaces the BS/4 and BS/2), Grundfos circulation pumps, PT1000 and NTC temperature sensors, non-return valves, heat exchangers, electric elements, thermostats, and pressure relief valves that work with Conergy systems. As long as your tank isn't leaking, the system can usually be repaired. However, heat exchangers for closed circuit glycol systems are becoming harder to source - we may need to convert your system to open circuit or recommend replacement if we can't source the part. Tank leaks generally mean complete system replacement since Conergy-specific tanks aren't available. We'll always be honest about whether repair makes economic sense versus replacing with a modern, reliable system. Some Conergy systems have had so many failures that continuing to repair them is throwing good money after bad.

Heat exchanger failure is THE most catastrophic problem with Conergy closed circuit (glycol) systems. Many owners report replacing the heat exchanger 2-3 times within 5-7 years, sometimes even under warranty which shows it's a design/quality issue. When the heat exchanger fails, glycol leaks into your water supply (sweet taste/smell), or the unit completely stops transferring heat. Signs include pink or yellow discolored water from glycol contamination, system losing pressure constantly, no hot water despite pump running, visible glycol leaking, corroded or split heat exchanger, and poor heat transfer. The closed circuit systems used in cold climates like Tasmania were particularly problematic - from day one with factory joints leaking, then multiple pump failures, then multiple heat exchanger failures. Eventually installers gave up in exasperation and offered to convert away from Conergy entirely. Heat exchanger replacement costs $600-$1,200 IF you can find the part, but many people end up replacing the entire system because heat exchangers aren't available or it's not economically viable to keep repairing a fundamentally flawed system.

If your installer told you to "bang the pipe" when the pump stops working, you have the classic Conergy impeller-stuck problem. This happens because sealant flakes from factory joints break loose over time and jam the pump impeller, or calcium buildup from hard Brisbane water locks it up. The pump motor runs (you hear humming) but the impeller can't spin, so no water circulates. Banging temporarily dislodges the blockage, but it's not a solution - it's a Band-Aid. The proper fix requires removing the pump, cleaning out all sealant debris and calcium, reverse flushing the entire system with water (not glycol) to clear blockages, potentially replacing the pump if the impeller is damaged, and installing inline filters to catch debris. This costs $300-$600 but actually fixes the problem instead of requiring you to climb up and bang pipes every week. Some Conergy pumps also have worn bearings or damaged seals causing similar symptoms. If you're banging your system regularly, it needs proper repair - not another bandage.

Single component repairs: Pump $350-$600, controller $400-$700, sensors $180-$320 each, non-return valve $180-$350, electric element $280-$450, thermostat $180-$300, PTR valve $200-$350, heat exchanger $600-$1,200 (if available). Multiple component failures: $600-$1,500+ for comprehensive repairs. Complete system replacement: $3,500-$6,000 for a modern, reliable heat pump or quality solar system. The decision depends on your system's age and history. If your Conergy is under 5 years old with a single failure, repair makes sense. But if you're experiencing multiple recurring failures (especially heat exchangers or pumps failing repeatedly), or if the system is over 7-10 years old, replacement is smarter. Many Conergy owners have spent $2,000-$3,000 over 5-7 years on repeated repairs - they should have replaced at $1,500 spent. We'll assess your system honestly and tell you if you're throwing good money after bad. Some Conergy systems are money pits that will never be reliable no matter how much you repair them.

Open circuit (direct) systems pump your actual drinking water from the tank through the roof panels and back. Simpler design, fewer failure points, but risk of freezing in cold climates and scale buildup in panels from hard water. Most Brisbane Conergy systems are open circuit. Closed circuit (indirect/glycol) systems have a separate loop of glycol fluid that circulates through panels, then transfers heat to your water via a heat exchanger. More complex, has a heat exchanger that frequently fails, requires glycol maintenance, but protects against freezing - designed for cold climates like Tasmania. Closed circuit Conergy systems are notorious problem children with multiple heat exchanger failures being the norm. The glycol (ST-5 heat transfer fluid) degrades over time, can leak, get contaminated with water, or have wrong concentration. If you have a closed circuit system and the heat exchanger has failed multiple times, seriously consider converting to open circuit (if in Brisbane) or replacing the entire system. The heat exchanger will likely fail again.

This is a faulty collector sensor (roof sensor) giving false temperature readings. The Resol controller activates the pump when it detects the collector is at least 6-8°C hotter than the tank. If the collector sensor has a partial short circuit or damaged thermistor, it falsely reports the roof panels are hot even at night, so the pump runs and circulates cold water from the roof back into your warm tank, cooling it down. By morning your water is cold despite heating perfectly yesterday. Other causes include sensor cable damage from UV exposure or weather, moisture in the sensor giving incorrect resistance readings, or wrong sensor type installed (PT1000 vs NTC). You can test this by checking if the pump/green light activates at night when panels are obviously cold. The fix is replacing the faulty collector sensor and cable ($180-$320) and ensuring it's properly sealed against moisture. Some controllers can be tested by unplugging sensors to see if readings change. This problem is particularly frustrating because the system works backwards - heating during the day then undoing all that work at night.

Honest answer: All Conergy models have reliability issues, but closed circuit glycol systems are THE WORST. Open circuit systems (AS series split systems - 315L, 400L models) are more reliable than closed circuit models, but still problematic. Common issues across ALL models: pump failures every 2-4 years, controller failures, sensor problems, element corrosion. The roof mount TS series were slightly better than split systems. Gas boosted models add diverter valve failures to the mix. The fundamental problem was Conergy chose cheap components, poor quality control, and cut corners to win government rebate contracts. Even when working, Conergy systems were "waste of money" according to many owners. The reviews are brutal: "CONergy", "rubbish", "garbage", "lemon from day one". Compared to brands like Solahart (old school but reliable), Rheem, or modern heat pumps, Conergy systems are objectively poor quality. If your Conergy is still working reasonably well, maintain it carefully, but don't expect it to last 15-20 years like quality systems do. Budget for replacement in 7-10 years total lifespan.

Tank leaks are serious and usually terminal for Conergy systems. First, determine if it's actually the tank or just the PTR valve: Check where water is coming from - if it's from the PTR valve drain line, that might be repairable ($200-$350). If water is weeping from tank body, seams, welds, element hole, or sensor ports, the tank is failing. Vitreous enamel tanks rust through when the enamel cracks and the anode depletes. Stainless steel tanks (which Conergy marketed as "should last") often leaked after only 4-5 years - complete manufacturing quality failure. Some tanks swelled and nearly split the outer casing in half (extreme danger!). Tank replacement options: You CANNOT get Conergy replacement tanks - the company is gone. Your choices are: 1) Complete system replacement with quality brand ($3,500-$6,000), 2) Retrofit a compatible tank from another brand if possible ($2,000-$3,500), 3) For roof mount systems, replace with modern system. We recommend option 1 - don't spend $2,500 retrofitting a tank onto a problematic Conergy system. Get a reliable Rheem, Dux, or heat pump and be done with Conergy forever.

Realistic lifespan: 7-10 years total, with multiple repairs needed along the way. This is FAR SHORT of quality solar systems that last 15-25 years. Based on thousands of owner reports: Years 1-2: Often problem-free (honeymoon period), though some had issues from day one. Years 2-4: First pump failure, possible controller issues. Years 4-7: Multiple component failures - pumps again, heat exchangers (closed circuit), elements, sensors. Systems requiring constant repairs. Years 7-10: Major failures, tank leaks, multiple simultaneous issues. Most owners replace at this point. One technician stated "this unit would be lucky to last another 12 months" after servicing a 2-year-old system. Another owner's plumber said "7 years is about the life of this Conergy brand." These are government rebate systems that were designed to be cheap, not to last. They were installed en masse in 2009-2012 under Queensland Labor's program, and most have now failed or been replaced. If your Conergy is approaching 10 years old, budget for replacement soon - it's living on borrowed time.

You need a specialist who knows Conergy systems specifically. Many plumbers refuse to work on them because: 1) No manufacturer support or documentation available, 2) Proprietary components that are hard to source, 3) Complex troubleshooting without diagnostic equipment, 4) Poor reputation - plumbers don't want liability, 5) Closed circuit glycol systems require specialized knowledge. Generic solar hot water techs often misdiagnose Conergy problems (for example, replacing a pump when the actual issue is sealant blockage, or not understanding how to clear debris properly). You need someone who: Knows how to properly flush sealant blockages using water reverse flow technique, can source compatible Resol controllers (SLL replacing BS/4), understands glycol system maintenance and testing, has experience with the specific failure modes, knows when to recommend replacement vs. repair. Todd's Plumbing has repaired thousands of Conergy systems - we know the quirks, common problems, proper repair techniques, and importantly, we'll tell you honestly when the system isn't worth repairing anymore. Don't waste money on generic techs learning on your dollar.