Choosing the ideal hot water system for your home

Hot Water Systems come in all shapes and sizes and with different capacities. There are so many to choose from, so trying to find the perfect one can be a difficult task. The perfect system for you depends on the size of your household and how energy efficient you’d like it to be. We’re here to point you in the right direction:

There are two general types of hot water systems:

•  A storage hot water system heats the water and keeps it in a tank but is limited by storage capacity.
•  An instantaneous hot water system heats up the water when you need it, so it won’t waste power by keeping the water warm when it’s not used.

Both types of systems can be powered in a number of ways:

Electric water heaters

Electric storage systems heat the water with an electric powered element which is located below the water tank.

Instantaneous electric systems work in a similar way – the element is coiled around the pipes.

Electric water heaters have low upfront costs, but they’re usually the most expensive type in the long run.

Gas water heaters

Gas storage systems use a gas burner to heat up the water and keep it warm in the tank.

Instantaneous gas water heaters also use a burner, but it only ignites when the water is needed. These kinds of systems are known to have lower usage rates compared to electricity, so they’re the most cost-effective choice in the long run.

Solar water heaters

Solar storage systems are the most energy efficient type, but they involve a large initial outlay. These systems generate heat from the sun, so they might be unreliable on overcast days and the water might have to be heated up with a gas or electric back-up.

Heat pump water heaters

Heat pump storage systems work like a reverse fridge: a fan draws warm air into the system which is then transferred to the water tank. Those systems are one of the most energy efficient solutions, but are only suitable in warm environments.

If you are unsure of which hot water system could be right for your home or if you have any other questions regarding hot water systems, give us a call on 1300 712 028 .