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How to choose the right hot water system for your home

Thursday, 16 April 2020 2:01 PM 

Your hot water system can be one of the most important aspects of your home. With an effective hot water system, you can bathe, shower and wash everything up in a quick and easy way, without having to deal with heating issues slowing down your daily routine.


Here we've listed a few ways you can determine which hot water system is best for you and your home, as well as some tips to help you understand what your needs are.

Know your needs

It's important to keep track of exactly what you need from your water supply. After all, you're not counting every single washed dish worth of hot water, so how can you be expected to know exactly what you need to use in a week.


Before you look into getting a new hot water system, spend a week keeping track of exactly what you use, how many showers you have, how many baths you have, and what your usage tends to be.


This will give you a better idea of what sort of job your hot water system will need to do when you make the switch.

Solar, electric or gas?

Solar Hot Water System

There are three major types of hot water heater. Solar relies on the heat from the sun to provide power to the system, allowing you to get hot water from a renewable energy source and build up the temperature in your hot water system through sustainable means. Below are the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Environmentally friendly as it uses energy from the sun
  • Requires little maintenance
  • Government rebates are available to offset the initial investment
  • If positioned correctly, it will reduce your electricity bill
  • Isn’t affected by future rises in energy costs

Cons

  • The initial costs are more expensive than gas or electricity
  • Can be unreliable after multiple overcast days in a row
  • Can be difficult to install on some older homes

Gas Hot Water System

Gas systems are based on burning gas to get the required heat into your hot water system. Below are the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Cheaper than electric hot water systems
  • Quick installation
  • Gas rates don’t vary throughout the day
  • Heats up your water quickly

Cons

  • No access to hot water in a blackout
  • Isn’t a viable option to homes not already connected to a gas main
  • Shorter lifespan

Electric Hot Water Systems

Electric systems pull power from the grid, heating your water the same way that you'd turn on your television. Below are the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Easy installation
  • Cheapest initial set-up costs
  • Easy to operate
  • Can be installed inside or outside

Cons

  • It is the most expensive system of the three to run
  • Doesn’t operate during a blackout
  • Least environmentally friendly of the three

Which option should I choose?

Each of the three options can do the job, assuming the conditions are right, but your specific needs will determine which one is most ideal for your home.

For example, if you have fairly minimal hot water usage and the area you live in experiences a lot of sunshine, using a solar hot water system could be ideal.


Once you start using more water than can be covered by the amount of power you generate, it might be better to transition to an electrical or gas system.


Of the two, an electrical system can be more environmentally friendly, since it can be powered by renewable electricity production. However, if you have an affordable gas tariff, you might get a much better deal by using a gas heater.

The Verdict

Ultimately, the best water system for your Grafton home comes down to what your home life is like. Solar thrives in hot weather with less usage, electricity is an environmentally friendly alternative, while gas is generally more affordable.

If you're interested in a new hot water system for your home, get in touch with the Tony Brown Plumbing team today either online or over the phone on 0419 998 068. We can talk through your hot water heating plans and install a hot water system that best suits your needs.