Saving Green with the Right Hot Water System: A Buyer's Guide for Homeowners in Victoria
Home Guide to Efficient Hot Water Systems for Your Residential Needs
Picking the perfect hot water system for your domestic abode in Victoria is a significant decision. Here's a lowdown on all things hot water systems to help you choose wisely.
Water heating accounts for 15 to 27 percent of a typical Australian household's energy consumption, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW), making it the household's second-largest energy user, after heating and cooling. As a Victorian resident, it's essential to make the right choice to save energy and cut costs.
Home Sweet Hot Water Systems: What you need to know
To store or not to store: That is the question
There are two main types of hot water systems: storage and instantaneous (continuous flow) systems.
Storage system
These systems store water within an insulated tank, ensuring a ready supply of hot water. The tanks can be made of materials like copper, glass-lined steel, or stainless steel, each designed to retain heat while minimizing heat loss through the tank and pipes. Storage water heaters can be powered by gas, electricity, solar, or heat pumps.
Instantaneous (Continuous Flow) System
As the name suggests, instantaneous systems heat water as required, eliminating the need for storage tanks. They can be powered by gas (natural or LPG) or electricity. While such systems can provide endless hot water, using small amounts of hot water at a time may result in energy waste due to continuous water heating and cooling.
The Great Water Warmer Debate: Gas, Electric, Solar, or Heat Pump?
Gas Hot Water System
Until recently, high-efficiency natural gas hot water systems were the go-to choice for economical water heating. However, heat pump systems, powered by electricity, have surpassed their efficiency. Gas-powered hot water systems are better suited for instantaneous systems, as the heat loss associated with storing hot water in gas storage tanks is significant.
Electric Hot Water System
Resistive element electric hot water systems are the most common, accounting for around 50 percent of Australian homes, according to the DCCEEW. They offer low upfront costs, but their high operating costs make them a less desirable choice unless powered by solar energy.
Solar Hot Water System
Solar hot water systems use energy from solar panels or collectors to heat water in an insulated tank positioned on the roof or the ground. Cold or winter temperatures may require a booster powered by gas or electricity to assist in heating the water. While solar hot water systems have high purchase and installation costs, they consume at least 60 percent less energy than conventional gas or electric hot water systems, according to Sustainability Victoria.
Heat Pump Hot Water System
Heat pump hot water systems boast high efficiency, using up to 80 percent less electricity than conventional electric hot water systems. This is due to the system's ability to extract heat from the air instead of generating heat directly. In colder climates where temperatures often fall below 5°C, consider using a specially designed heat pump water heater suitable for frosty and snowy conditions.
Heat pump hot water systems are more expensive to purchase and install initially but can provide long-term energy savings and qualify for rebates. They can also function like a battery by using solar power from your home's solar panels to heat the water during the day and store it for later use, further reducing energy bills. Heat pumps pose minimal risk of overheating during hot weather due to their cooling mechanism, and quality systems like the Apricus and Reclaim heat pumps are exceptionally quiet.
The Energy Champion: Which hot water system is the greenest?
Research conducted by Sustainability Victoria reveals that electric heat pump hot water systems are the most energy-efficient hot water systems on the market. switching to a solar hot water system can save Victorian households between $140 to $400 annually on their energy bills, according to Solar Victoria.
The Mulligan: Which hot water system suits your home best?
A heat pump hot water system can save you money in the long run, making it an excellent choice overall. However, it's crucial to consider factors such as:
- Cost: Compare purchase, installation, and operating costs, including any available rebates.
- ** Installation Location**: Ensure you have sufficient outdoor space for a heat pump unit or a suitable area for a solar hot water system.
- Energy Source: Solar energy is a good option if your home is suitably located for solar panels.
The Right Fit: Selecting the Perfect Size
The ideal hot water system size depends on household size and water usage patterns. Smaller households may benefit more from instantaneous hot water systems, while larger households may require a storage system to accommodate multiple hot water outlets operated simultaneously.
The Installation Whisperer: DIY or hire a pro?
Licensed installers can safely install a heat pump hot water system at your home, sometimes even during solar panel system installation. Consult with your installer regarding suitable energy sources, system selection, and cost comparisons.
The Greenback Bonus: Rebates in Victoria
Solar Victoria's hot water rebate offers rebates of up to $1,000 on eligible solar hot water systems and heat pump hot water systems to owner-occupiers of properties valued under $3 million with a combined taxable income of less than $180,000 annually. To qualify, the existing hot water system must be at least three years old since purchase, and the property address must not have previously received a hot water rebate or solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program.
To apply for the rebate, visit the hot water rebate portal and await confirmation from Solar Victoria before scheduling installation. If you're getting a solar panel system installed, inquire about the possibility of installing a heat pump hot water system simultaneously.
The Solar Soiree: Learn More About Solar Power
Ready to embrace solar energy? RACV Solar offers valuable insights on solar power systems and their compatibility with solar and heat pump hot water systems.
In light of the guide for homeowners in Victoria, it's essential to consider a heat pump hot water system as they can offer long-term energy savings and are the most energy-efficient option in the home-and-garden lifestyle scene. To maximize these benefits, fusion of technology with home-and-garden elements, like the compatibility of a heat pump hot water system with solar power systems, is worth investigating for a more sustainable lifestyle.
