Solar Vacuum Relief

[flylegacy500]

What is the purpose? Is it just to prevent freezing or does it in some way help prolong the life of the solar heating system?

I've noticed that it slowly introduces air into the system raising my PH which leads to having to add acid more frequently. It also causes me to have to run a slightly higher RPM on my pump when it runs for extended periods of time for good flow. Do I really need a vacuum relief in my solar heating system all the time or can I plug it off during the swim season?

 

[CJadamec]

The vacuum relief is there so you don't collapse the solar panels. You need to run your pump at a high enough speed to close the valve on the relief for it to work properly. If it is constantly introducing air into the piping then you aren't putting enough water thru your panels or it was installed in the wrong spot.