How To Choose The Best Hot Water System
Heating water is the second biggest use of energy in your home. Depending on where you live in Australia, your hot water system is responsible for 15% to 27% of your total energy use.
Traditional gas and electric-powered water heaters are also one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters. Estimates show that up to 25% of your home's greenhouse gas emissions are from this type of water heater.
Homeowners looking to upgrade their hot water system should therefore look for a system that is both economical to run and environmentally friendly. So in this article, we are going to explore how to choose the best hot water system for your home.
Types of hot water systems available
There are four main types of water heaters available in Australia. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each of them individually.
Electric
Electric heaters heat water in around half of Australia’s homes. They are the most cost-effective to buy, but the most expensive to run unless powered by a solar PV system.
Solar thermal
Solar thermal systems use a grid of evacuated tubes located on the roof to heat water using the sun's rays. The heated water is then stored in an insulated water cylinder for later use. This type of system is cost-effective to run but can be expensive to install.
Heat pump
Heat pumps essentially work in the opposite way to conventional air conditioning systems. They are more expensive to install electric water heaters but much cheaper to run.
Gas
Gas-powered water heaters are not common in Australia. They have medium to high installation and running costs which limits their use to larger homes or commercial type applications.
Storage tank vs continuous flow
Along with the type of fuel used, you also need to choose between having a storage tank or a continuous flow system.
Systems such as Solar Thermal and Heat Pumps require a storage tank to store hot water. This is because they heat small amounts of water efficiently across the day and not when needed.
Gas and electric water heaters can heat water instantaneously or feed a tank. However, these systems are expensive to run and generate more greenhouse gasses than either heat pumps or solar-powered systems.
On the plus side, heating water instantaneously means that you don’t have to find room for a large water tank and this type of system is typically much cheaper to install.
Installation costs
Installation costs can make a big difference to the final cost of your system. Generally speaking, the more economical a system is to run the more expensive it is to install. So make sure you factor in installation costs before making a final decision.
Find out how much the different types of water heater will cost to install in your home by arranging a free home survey and quotation today.
Government rebates and incentives
Because the most energy-efficient water heaters are typically more expensive to install than traditional gas or electric-powered systems. The government offers various rebates and incentives to encourage homeowners to take up the technology.
The schemes currently active in the NSW area:
Free Solar for low-income households
This scheme allows low-income households in NSW to install a 3 KW solar PV system for FREE. Check if you qualify here.
Small-scale technology certificates
Small-scale technology certificates are available for qualifying energy systems on a per MWh basis. These certificates can then be used to recoup some of the cost of the installation or assigned to an agent in exchange for an upfront discount.
Find out more here.
Get in touch for a FREE quote
For more information about how to choose the best hot water systems for your home. Get in touch with the heating and plumbing experts at Nudges Plumbing today. We are a family-owned business offering affordable and reliable plumbing and maintenance services to homes and businesses in Dubbo, NSW.
Get in touch by calling 0419 741 508 or complete the contact form here.
